#TTT2022

[mochegato]

Let’s Play Pretend

Marinette trudged up the stairs toward her apartment, each step harder than the last.  She just had to make it to her apartment, and she could sleep for a week.  As of the submission of the finalized designs an hour earlier, she had no obligations to keep her working all day and all night anymore. She was free to actually see her apartment for more than a few hours to change, shower, and, if she remembered, grab food… she usually didn’t.

She was almost to her door before she finally noticed the hulking body standing just across the way from her door.  He was staring intently at his own doorknob like it was a frustrating puzzle the solution for which kept changing before he could arrive at it.  He moved his hand, wrapped around his key like a vice, achingly slowly, but still somehow managed to miss the keyhole.  A metallic clanging sounded as the key skidded along the doorknob.

He groaned loudly and dropped his head back, which turned out to be a mistake as it threw his balance off, causing him to stumble backward into her door. She snorted at the affronted look on his face.  “You okay, Jay?”

“’M fine,” he grunted without looking up at her.

She blinked at him a few times.  That was a significantly more hostile response than she was expecting, and bitterness bled through his tone despite the slurred words.  “Oookay,” she drew out uncertainly.  Any other time she wouldn’t have taken his answer at face value, but she was a few too many days past what would be considered healthy to go without sleep to pursue it right then.  So instead, she settled on narrowing her eyes at him suspiciously before taking his key from him and opening his door for him.

He had just managed to lumber past her without bumping into her or the doorframe when he continued speaking unprompted.  “I heard Dick and Tim talking.”  He slammed his grocery bag down on the kitchen island hard enough to knock over a few of the beer and liqueur bottles that littered the island. Taking a look around, she noticed a few more bottles on the coffee table as well.

“About?” Marinette encouraged curtly.

“Me,” he growled.

“What about you?” she snapped.  She was too tired to play games.  If Jason wanted to talk, he needed to talk.  She couldn’t spend all night drawing it out of him.  She wouldn’t last more than another few minutes.

“They were talking about partners.”

“Like Roy?”

“Romantic.”  He spat the word out like a curse.  “They were betting on who would get married next.  The order they decided on was Cass and Steph, Tim, Barbara, Dick, Duke, Damian, Bruce!” he exclaimed Bruce’s name loud enough to echo through the apartment, “and me never.”

Marinette bobbed her head to the side to see him better.  She stared at him for a few seconds as if to check if he was serious. “What the fuck?  Rude.  But why do you care?  It’s just Tim and Dick.  Who cares what they think?  They’re idiots.”

“Fucking Bruce even got listed before me.  What the fucking fuck,” he exclaimed to nobody.  He pulled one of the bottles of beer out of the bag and jerked the bottle down against the counter, popping the lid off.

“They didn’t say why they were ranking the way they did, why they put you last?” she asked.  She wouldn’t put Jason first either, Cass and Steph were certainly on their way toward something, but she definitely wouldn’t put him last either.  Jason was the romantic of the group.  Definitely the most likely to find someone and propose on a whim and go through with it before anyone could convince him otherwise.

“They think you don’t want to get married?”  She shook her head when he offered her a beer as well.  The last thing she needed just then was another reason to be delirious.  She had enough of a reason already.  

“Definitely not, but even if I did, they don’t think I’d be able to find someone who would want to marry me.”  His voice came out bitter despite being slightly slurred.  “And the worst part is they’re probably right.  What woman is going to want to marry me.  I’m a fucking mess.”

Marinette gasped, suddenly very awake…ish.  She shot up straight and rigid.  Sympathetic indignation flowed through her.   “Fuck that!  You are a catch, Jason Todd.  Any woman will be lucky to have you.  I don’t know about how much you would want to marry someone, but the problem would be finding indeed a woman who deserves you.”

Jason blinked at her standing up straight as well, though swaying slightly as he did.  “That's right!  I am a fucking catch!”

“Yes, you are!” Marinette agreed with a decisive nod.

“And so are you,” he said looking at Marinette, all the bitterness seemingly gone, replaced with wonder.  “You are a Goddamned goddess.  You’re hot, smart, funny, sweet.  You’re the whole damned package.”

“Damn right I am,” she agreed, grabbing a beer and trying to jerk it against the countertop like Jason had done but just succeeded in wracking her knuckles against the counter.  She hissed and shook her hand for a moment before returning her attention to him, fixing him with a firm look.  “But this is about you.  Ignore those idiots.  They don’t know what the hell they’re talking about.  They’ll never have your charisma and naked sex appeal!”

“Me? What about you!  You’re the sexiest thing I’ve seen ever,” he insisted forcefully. He pushed into her space to convince her, or maybe himself, or maybe just because he could.  “I wouldn't have to look far to find somebody who deserves me.” He sloppily cupped her jaw.  “Problem is I don't deserve you.”

“How dare you!  I would marry you today!”  She pushed forward until her face was just a hair’s breadth from his.  His eyes darted down to her lips and back up to her eyes surprisingly quickly for someone as drunk as he was.  He just made up his mind to go through with what he’d been wanting to do for months when Marinette reared back with a gasp.

“Oh my God!  That's what we should do!”  She jumped back and forth on her toes, practically vibrating in excitement.  “We should get married!  They thought you wouldn't get married at all?  Well fuck them, you'll be the first.”  She suddenly froze and for a fleeting moment Jason thought maybe she’d changed her mind but instead, her eyes widened and grin brightened.

“Ooohhh!  Zoe just got ordained a few months ago so she could marry Juleka and Rose, you remember that wedding I made those dresses for?”

“The ones you were freaking out about for weeks, thinking they weren’t good enough when they were fucking gorgeous?” he snorted.

“Yes,” she snapped before sticking her tongue out at him.  “Anyway, she can be here in about an hour.  That gives us just enough time to change before the ceremony and then we can get married and then I can sleep for a week.”  She squealed in excitement and rushed to pull out her phone, activating it and pulling up Zoe’s number in a flash.

He slapped his hand down on her phone.  “You want to get actually married?  You don’t want to just… fake it?”

Marinette pulled her phone away and dialed, staring at him like it was the dumbest thing she’d ever heard, and she’d just left Jagged saying he wanted a jacket inspired by a kiwi.  She wasn’t sure if he meant the bird, the fruit, or a New Zealand trend and honestly, she was terrified to ask.  “You think your family wouldn’t be able to figure out it was fake in 0.1 seconds flat? It has to be real or there’s no reason to do it in the first place.”

Her eyes widened suddenly, but unlike the times before, this time it wasn’t out of excitement.  “Well, I mean… not real real.  We wouldn’t have to… um… to consummate it," she stuttered the word out, “or… or anything. We would just play pretend but for real…” she quirked her lips to the side and scrunched her face.  Even delirious, she knew that didn’t sound right.

“Yeah, okay that makes sense,” he nodded as his hazy mind slowly pieced the words together into a rough, ill-fitting picture.  The only thing he was getting out of it currently was that he got to marry Marinette, but not sleep with her… which didn’t sound right.  “But… uh… why do we need to change?”

“I’m not getting married in rumpled capris, to a man in a beer-stained shirt” she deadpanned.

Jason’s head whipped down to check his shirt, just then finally noticing the several stains on his chest and running down his abs.  He nodded dumbly.  “Yeah, that makes sense.  Will sell the story too.”

“Only if there’s pictures.  Oh!  We should roll the date on the camera back a few days so if we send the digital copy to them the date shows it was before their conversation.  Oooohhhh!” her eyes lit up even brighter.  “We should edit the pictures at first, you know just to enhance them and send them the enhanced pictures, which will have edits on them and send them those pictures so it shows an edited date of tomorrow and edits to the pictures so they get all ‘these pictures are fakes’ and then boom!  We hit them with the real pictures that have the date for like last week.”

Jason grinned.  “Evil genius. I love it.  I’m so glad I’m marrying you… I mean for the thing… the thing we’re… you know,” he stuttered.

Marinette grinned back.  “You should be.  I’ll be an amazing wife.  And help torture your family…” she paused as what she’d just said caught up with her. “Those things are only tangentially related.  There are lots of reasons I’ll make a great wife.”

Jason’s grin softened into a sappy smile.  “I have no doubt.”

Marinette smiled back, getting lost in his eyes for a few moments until the sound of Zoe picking up snapped her out of it.  “Zoe!  Oh my God, I have the most amazing plan… Two no three days maybe...  Why?”  She paused for a moment to listen.  “No, this is genius.  But I need your help.”  She paused for a second then turned to Jason with a beaming grin and a nod.  They were on.

><><><><><><>< 

An incessant beeping tore Marinette out of her peaceful sleep.  She looked around in complete confusion, her eyes barely registering the scene around her, everything blurring together in a haze of muted dark colors.  Her eyes finally zeroed on her phone, purely because it was the only source of light in the room, acting like a beacon.  She managed to pick it up after a few failed, flailed attempts, but had to blink her eyes clear enough to read the message.

Even after managing to make the words make sense, she still had to reread it a few times before deciding her inability to decipher the words weren’t because she was reading them incorrectly.  “She woke me up for this?” she grumbled sloppily.

“Who woke you up for what?” Jason’s gravely, sleep laden voice cut in.

Marinette blinked at him a few times, hoping his presence would make sense, but no matter how long she stared, it didn’t become clearer.  She opened her mouth but closed it immediately.  She was far too tired to deal with the implications of his presence in her bed.  She looked around quickly.  Or… her presence in his bed, as the case may be.  “Zoe said she filed my paperwork first thing this morning.  But I have no idea what she’s talking about.”

There was a long pause before Jason spoke up.  “You don’t remember?”

Marinette turned over to face him, pulling the sheet up to cover herself.  “You sound like you do.”

Jason snorted.  “It’s an incredibly long story,” he started.  It wasn’t, but he didn’t want to get into it before she slept.  “I know you have questions, but you should sleep, Pixie.  You really haven’t gotten enough sleep this week and you definitely haven’t caught up yet.”

He pushed her onto her back gently.  “Now sleep. We’ll talk after you’ve gotten a few more hours.  But I can promise you we didn’t do any… consummating last night.”  He just barely stopped himself from running his hands along her jaw.   “And maybe you should turn off your phone, so you don’t get any more interruptions.”

Marinette nodded blankly, unsure if that was good news or bad news, but the idea of sleep sounded awfully appealing.  “Good idea. So lucky I married you.”  She turned over and was sleep in a few seconds.

Jason stared at her trying to figure out if she realized what she said, but she slept undisturbed.  It had to mean she remembered on some level… right?  That she hadn’t just done it because she was too out of it to make logical decisions.  He watched her sleep peacefully, just enough light filtering in from the living room down the hall to highlight her face.  He traced the lines with his eyes, wishing he could figure out a way to make the marriage real.  

Waking up with Marinette in his bed, wearing his shirt, an idea she came up with in case his family burst in on them, was one of the best mornings of his life even with his hangover.  Feeling her next to him made him feel like he was home in a way he hadn’t felt in years, warm and comforted and… happy.

He tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t force himself to.  He laid looking at her until his stomach started grumbling.  If his stomach was grumbling, he was sure hers would be soon as well and he had nothing for her to eat.  He quirked his head to the side.  Even if Zoe had filed the paperwork, it would likely still take a few hours at least for it to get into the system… that gave him enough time to get some food.  Maybe he could even make her something for dinner, if she woke up before then.

He was in the middle of making dinner when it all came to a head.  He grinned excitedly as he heard a pounding at his door. He quickly made his way to the door before they woke up Marinette. It may be pretend, but if they kept pounding on the door, they would wake Marinette up for real.  He took a breath before opening the door.  “Dick, Tim.”  He looked back and forth between them.  “So, she finally filed the paperwork then,” he chuckled, pretending like he hadn’t heard the news himself hours before.

“What do you mean finally!” Dick exclaimed, his voice breaking as he did.

“I mean we got married a bit ago.  We were just waiting on her to file the paperwork.”  He leaned closer conspiratorially, as if he was passing on insider knowledge acquired through long hours spent as a couple with Marinette’s friends.  “Friend of Pixie’s.  Sweet girl but a bit scattered.”

He suddenly straightened up, his body tense and his expression firm.  “And keep your voice down.  Mari’s been up all week finishing a project.  Now that she’s done, she needs to catch up on her sleep.”

“You mean she’s here?” Tim whisper yelled.  He looked around quickly like he would be able to see her.

Jason had to fight to hide the smirk that pulled insistently on his lips, suddenly very grateful that Mari had convinced him she should stay at his place for the next few nights.  “Of course, she’s here.  Where did you think my wife would sleep?”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Dick asked, betrayal clear in his voice.

“It was all pretty rushed,” Jason shrugged.  He returned his attention to the dinner he was working on for Marinette. “We decided to get married, called her friend over to do it and it was done.  Then Mari had stuff she couldn’t put off so we couldn’t come over and make a big announcement.”

“Do you at least have pictures?” Tim asked overly innocently.

Jason frowned slightly, but enough that he knew they would be able to pick up on it and get their hopes up.  “I mean, a few…”

“Lemme see!  Lemme see!” Dick demanded making grabby hands towards Jason.

“Okay, okay, hold on.”  He grabbed Marinette’s bag off the couch and rooted through it for the camera as if he didn’t know exactly where it was because they’d put it there purposefully. “Here.  The last ten or so pictures.  I wouldn’t go much beyond that, if I were you.”  He waggled his eyebrows at Tim.

“Ew,” Tim stuck his tongue out in disgust, but he started navigating through the pictures very tentatively.

“These pictures are dated last week!” Tim exclaimed holding out the camera for Dick to look at.

“Yeah?”  Jason motioned for him to elaborate.  “That’s when we got married.  I would expect the dates to match.”

“You’ve been married for a week?” Tim asked indignantly.

“Yeah, I told you, she’s been really bu…”

“Is that Jagged Stone!” Dick yelled.  He motioned aggressively toward the camera.  “You couldn’t be bothered to call us but you managed to ask Jagged freaking Stone to be there?”

“We didn’t ask him,” Jason answered calmly with a roll of his eyes, adding a some chopped vegetables to the pan, “Zoe is his daughter in law.  When he heard what she was doing, he insisted on being there. She couldn’t get rid of him.  If you go back a few pics, you’ll see him serenading us.”

“What the fuck…” Dick breathed.

“And keep your voice down,” he hissed.  “Marinette needs her sleep, and I will not have you two assholes waking her up because you can’t control your emotions.”

“Who’s an asshole?” Marinette’s tired voice cut in.

Jason glared at the two but turned to Marinette with a bright smile.  “It’s okay, Pixie, go back to sleep.  These two were just leaving.”

Marinette looked past him to Tim and Dick.  “Oh, hey guys.  Didn’t mean to interrupt.”  Her wave was cut short by a loud yawn.  Tim waved back but his eyes widened when he noticed her clothing.

“They were interrupting us.  Don’t apologize to them,” Jason grunted.  “I’m almost done with dinner if you’re hungry.  You can eat, then go back to bed if you want.”

Marinette hummed in consideration.  “I think I’ve slept enough for a bit.  I’d like to eat but I’m sure I’ll still go to bed early tonight.”

“We just wanted to say congratulations on your marriage,” Dick offered with a bittersweet smile.

Marinette blinked at him a few times causing Jason’s heart to stutter.  She hadn’t remembered earlier, and he wasn’t sure if she would now.  “Thank you?” She looked over at Jason who was trying to communicate something to her with his eyes, she was sure, she just didn’t know what it was.  But she was banking on it being to go with whatever he said.  She shook her head.  “Sorry, yeah.  Still tired. Didn’t know you guys knew yet.”

“We just found out,” Tim offered tentatively.

“And not from you guys,” Dick admonished lightly.

“Yeah… sorry.  I’ve been really busy at work, only getting a few hours sleep this past week.  We didn’t want to announce it while I was out of it,” Marinette tried.  She looked over to Jason through the corner of her eyes.  Based on the way Jason was nodding vigorously, she guessed she was saying the right things.  “We were planning on telling you soon.”

“But some nosy ass…” Jason growled.

“So how did it come about,” Dick cut in loudly with a sweet smile.

“Come about?” Marinette yawned.  She blinked blankly at them a few times, still trying to get her mind set firmly in the present when all she really wanted to do was go back to bed… Jason’s bed apparently, and she wasn’t quite sure how that happened, but she was positive they hadn’t had sex so there was that.  Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, she wasn’t quite sure about, and she was too tired to work through it just yet.

“Your wedding,” he elaborated, his voice encouraging and almost innocent sounding, prodding but not forceful, a balance Dick specialized in.  “We didn’t even know you were dating.”

The tone immediately put Marinette on edge.  She glanced over to Jason who also tensed almost imperceptibly, confirming her own assessment of the question.  Marinette might not know what was going on, but she knew she was perfectly fine with deceiving Dick as long as he used that tone with her.  Her mind raced to try to come up with a plan. Dick wouldn’t be too difficult to fool. She barely ever saw him.  She didn’t see Tim much more, but she had hung out with him a few times and she knew he was extremely observant.  He would be harder to sell.

She hummed non-committally and moved to snuggle against Jason.  If they were going to sell this marriage thing, they were going to sell this marriage thing and not give Tim even the tiniest of reasons to doubt.  Which shouldn’t be too hard for her.  She just had to treat Jason like she wanted to but had never let herself.  “Don’t know.  It wasn’t like we were trying to hide our relationship.”

Jason instantly wrapped his arms around her and rocked slightly with a kiss to her crown.  He tried not to react when she relaxed further into him, seeming to meld herself against his body like it belonged there.  “Well, she wasn’t,” he snorted.

Marinette leaned her head back just enough to look up at him lovingly.  “I love Jason and couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him by my side.”

Jason looked down at her, his heart pounding in his chest.  He loved hearing her say those words, but wished more than anything she meant them.  “I finally convinced her and wasn’t about to let her change her mind.”

“The pictures looked amazing,” Dick commented.  “I’d like to get a copy of them, if you don’t mind.”

Marinette opened her mouth to say something, but she wasn’t sure what to say about pictures that she knew nothing about.  She thought it was all a joke by Jason on his brothers, but there were pictures. Pictures!  Pictures that were at least convincing enough to convince Dick and Tim, so she had to have participated in them, but she for the life of her could not remember it.  How much of the story was fake?  Or was it all real?  Oh God! Did she finally admit her feelings to Jason?  Did he have them back?

“Are you pregnant?” Tim asked after staring at her for stomach while the others had been talking.  Dick groaned and dropped his head into his hands.

Marinette gasped and patted her stomach.  “Do I look pregnant?” she demanded.

“No,” Jason assured her instantly with a glare at Tim, who at least had the decency to look abashed.  “You don’t. He’s just a suspicious asshole who needs to leave now.”

“If I don’t look pregnant, then he thinks the only reason you’d want to marry me is because I was pregnant?” Marinette demanded intentionally making her voice sound slightly hysterical.

“No!” Tim answered quickly.  He rushed toward her, his eyes guilt-ridden and panicked.  “No that isn’t…”

“I think it’s time to leave,” Jason cut in again.  He cradled Marinette’s head into his chest so they couldn’t see her face, which he was pretty sure held a smirk, which would have instantly given them away.

“I think he’s right,” Dick agreed, pulling Tim toward the door.  “Sorry for the intrusion.  Congratulations on the marriage.”

“Let’s get you back to bed, baby,” he said loudly before they could reach the door. “I can think of a few ways to help you forget those assholes.  Maybe we can make Tim’s comment prophetic.”

Tim groaned.  “We’re going. You don’t need to drive us out.” He quickly opened the door and ran into a body on the other side.

“Whoa,” Roy chuckled.  “What’s the rush?”

“Did you know about this?” Dick demanded.

Roy stared at him for a few moments, waiting for Dick to elaborate.  “I’m going to need more than that.”

Dick huffed and pushed past him, dragging Tim with him.  “Ask him,” he motioned toward Jason with his chin before slamming the door shut behind him.

Roy looked over at Jason expectantly.  “What was that about?”  His voice was light, and he started to chuckle until he saw Jason’s arms around Marinette, at which point his smile widened into an incandescent beam. “So, you finally admitted your feelings,” Roy nodded in approval.  “Good for you.”

Jason whirled on him with wide eyes.  Roy’s smile dropped as he tried to figure out the cause for the reaction.

“His what?” Marinette screeched.

“His feelings,” Roy repeated uncertainly.  “He’s been in love with you for…”

She was unable to find out the duration due to Jason tackling Roy, not that the information would have registered.  She was staring blankly at the spot Roy had inhabited a few moments before, the information he let slip swirling around in her head.  “Wow… so that’s what it feels like from this side.  I’ve never been on this side of this conversation before.  This is a much better side to be on,” she commented to nobody.

She continued to stare at nothing until a loud sound pulled her out of her stupor.  She looked over just in time to see Jason shoving Roy’s head back with one hand, his other arm wrapped around Roy’s arm, holding him in place while Roy’s free arm was pushing against Jason’s head as well.  “Oh!” she rushed over to pull Jason off Roy.  “Oh, me too.  I… I like you too,” she yelled.

Jason’s fist paused inches from Roy’s face, his other hand fisted in Roy’s shirt the only thing keeping Roy from falling on his ass. His head turned slowly to look over at Marinette.  “What?”

“I said…”  Marinette smiled brilliantly and took a daring step closer toward the brawl. “I love you too.”

Roy looked back and forth between the two of them. “The fuck is happening right now?”

“We got married to prove something to his brothers. He was drunk.  I was tired.  It made sense at the time,” she explained without looking away from Jason.  “At least I think that’s what happened.  I don’t really remember.  But I do love you, Jason.  Everything I said, I meant.”

Jason’s face split into a brilliant smile. “Yeah?”  He stepped over Roy toward Marinette, ignoring Roy’s grunt as he hit the floor when Jason let go of him.

“I have been for a while, Jason,” she continued.  She cupped his face as soon as he was close enough and tried to ignore the thrill that shot through her when his hands settled on her hips and pulled her against him.  “How could I not?  You’re so sweet and thoughtful…” she ignored both the scoff from Roy at her words and his grunt from Jason’s kick.  “…you’re always there to make me laugh or smile, listen to me when I’m wailing about my frustrations.  You have become one of the people I trust most in the world and I have wanted to do this for so, so long.”

She whispered the last part as she pulled his face to hers.  Pressing her lips to his with a desperate passion that Jason returned with equal fervor. She wound her hands behind his neck and into his dark hair, pulling him closer to her until there was no space between them.  His hands settled on her hips, his fingers digging into her skin.

“I have too,” he whispered against her lips. “I’ve thought about this, dreamed about this, since we met.  And every day since, every bit of you I’ve discovered, has only make me want it more. I don’t know when I fell in love with you, it’s impossible to tell when it shifted from love at first sight to actual love, but I know it’s been for a really long time.”

Marinette’s already brilliant smile turned adoring.  She followed his lead as he pulled her against him to capture her lips in another kiss, this one softer, more affectionate, exploring.

“Right… I’m just going to…” Roy grumbled awkwardly. He looked back for a moment as he opened the door, but Marinette and Jason didn’t look over to acknowledge him or his words.  “Unbelievable,” he grumbled, but his lips pulled up at the corners watching his best friend finally happy with the woman he loved.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng-Todd,” he chuckled at Marinette’s wrinkled nose, “will you go on a date with me?”

Her wrinkled nose smoothed out into a smile.  “I would love to Jason Dupain-Cheng-Todd,” she whispered before pulling him into another kiss.

#Maribat #Jasonette #TTT2022 #prompt - Did you know about this

[folk-ever-lore]

PROMPT: "WHAT DO YOU NEED?"

Marinette: Hey Jason-

Jason: What do you need, darling?

Marinette: I was just maybe kinda wondering if you wanted to go out with me tonight, or some other day?

Jason: Are you asking me out?

Marinette: Maybe - yes

Jason: ... We've been married for a year now

Marinette: And??? Do you wanna go out tonight?

Jason, chuckling: Sure, why not

#maribat #maribat discord #mlb x dc #dc x mlb #jason todd #marinette dupain cheng #jason x marinette #marinette x jason #jasonette #tag team tournament #ttt2022 #book design

[ive-tumbled-down-a-rabbit-hole]

Mission Sleeptime

Tag Team Tournament 2022

Day 5

Prompt: I'm staying right here

Masterlist

…………………..

"Come on Marinette, let's get you to bed."

"Noooo, I'm staying right here."

Jon gently stroked his girlfriend's hair as she curled in closer to him, in essence pinning to the sofa.

"We shouldn't sleep on the sofa. Your cousin's will kill me for not treating you right."

"Not my cousins."

"You tell them that then."

Jon huffed at the grumbling tired sounds escaping Marinette as she fought sleep and wake in equal measure.

"It's better for them to claim cousins as they'd prefer siblings especially if Bruce had his way with the world."

Shuffling closer to the woman, the sunshine in his world, so they could be face to face, Jon grinned at the adorable pout Marinette sent him.

"Do you want me to die because of Kryptonite poisoning?"

"Nooo! Can't we just stay here though. It's comfy and you're here."

Marinette curled in closer wrapping her arms round Jon tighter to not let him leave. Residing himself to the cuddle fate that he would *just* have to suffer, Jon pulled Marinette in close and moved them both to a seating position as Marinette let out disgruntled whine. Ignoring the abandoned cocoa mugs on the table Jon lifted the girl up into his arms and started to leave the Wayne family den.

He didn't know why he agreed to let Marinette convince him that it was the best location for a film night date. Especially as he could feel her reverse found family cousins, his best friend and his unique siblings, watching his every move. The farm, Metropolis, Paris would have been better, or well, safer for him. The other locations still had their drawback of different spies, just ones that maybe slightly less intimidating.

"Come on. I'll carry you Sunshine. Let's get to bed."

A hum was all Jon got in response.

As he walked down the family wing and headed towards the room opposite Damian's, he ducked as a birdrang flew at him.

"Hi Dames! I'm just…"

"Tt. I know what you're up to Kent!"

"... putting Sunshine to bed…"

"You're seducing her. Stealing her innocence!!!"

"Dames!!! Not this again. Please. Let me put MY girlfriend to bed. We can talk about it sensibly afterwards."

"I'm watching you, farm boy. You may be my… close associate, but Dupain-Cheng is… family."

Jon rolled his eyes and walked into Marinette's room. Yep, staying here was a bad move. Protective Wayne's are crazy.

"Shhh D… sleepy time. Stab mon amour tomorrow."

Ok, his girlfriend fitted in perfectly with them and was crazy too.

"Tt, you're safe for now Kent."

Damain moved with the shadows back into his own doorway watching Jon with his eerily observant eyes. Moving quickly into the only safe haven within the spooky grand building, Jon quickly closed the door to the staring eyes.

"My saviour."

"Hmmm, love you mon amour."

"Love you too Sunshine."

Jon carefully delivered his precious load to the ridiculously large and cloud-like bed before placing a chaste kiss on the tip of Marinette's nose, then forehead. He pulled the blankets up to cover the drowsy woman as she curled into a ball and reached out for him.

"Stay, non amour, please."

There was no debate. Dealing with the over protective Wayne's or curling up and snuggling with his girlfriend.

"Course Sunshine, I'm staying right here with you."

#maribat #dc x mlb #mlb x dc #maribat au #ml x dc #dc x ml #short and sweet #ttt2022 #tag team tournament #marijon #jon x marinette #marinette x jon #sunshine pairing

[boldlyanxious]

In Cahoots

Tag team tournament day 4

Masterlist

Dick was acting weird. Even weirder than usual.

He knew Damian had been out late. That wasn’t too big of a deal. It happened frequently enough. Damian was still up at the usual time and headed to the gym in his building but when he got out of the shower Dick was there. Suddenly he wanted to hang out even though they had been together yesterday evening. He had intended to have a nice, relaxing day at home. Then he would spend some time with his girlfriend later but Dick had a tendency to plead. When he started that he would get a whining tone to his voice that made Damian want to stab something.

He didn’t want to stab Dick and his apartment was pristine at the moment so instead, he grabbed a jacket and headed out into the dismal rainy day to eat brunch.

There was a line at the place Dick chose. It was loud and crowded. People were bumping them back and forth. Dick was watching him closely as he checked the time on his phone again. He stared back at the look but slid the phone back into his pocket.

“What, are you already bored of me?” Dick asked.

“I am bored of the activity,” Damian clarified. “It is crowded and the acoustics in this room are very poorly designed for conversation. I can’t hear you right in front of me but it feels like every other person in this room is shouting in my ears.”

“Well, I’m always happy to spend time with you, Damian,” Dick said with a grin. “Besides, it’s my treat.”

“It certainly is,” Damian muttered grumpily.

—

Marinette waited until Damian and Dick were gone to sneak past the security at the desk. They let her in. They knew her since she came over frequently. But they would not allow her up without Damian with what she had with her. So she let them know that it appeared someone had dumped a bunch of trash along the side of the building. Conveniently, it was on the side of the building where there was no camera. Damian had complained about it many times but he liked everything else about the building so he chose to stay there anyway. That is how Marinette knew where to dump the trash she had collected.

They went out the side door and she hit the elevator hold button while she ran to get the box she had hidden. Luckily she didn’t trip in her hurry because that would be a disaster. She adjusted the blanket covering the box and watched the elevator go all the way up. She peeked around the corner before stepping out to make sure one of his neighbors wasn’t around. There were only 3 other apartments on this level and she knew all of them by sight. But she preferred not to see any of them right now.

She used her key to get in and quickly closed the door behind her.

—

This was dragging out.

The brunch was bad enough. The food had been fine but Damian would have preferred some place smaller and with less noise. But now, Dick had decided that he just needed a quick stop at a couple places and that it would be no big deal for Damian to go with him. He tried to sneak out his phone again.

“Come on, Damian. We are bonding,” Dick whined.

“You did not even check to see if I had plans today,” Damian defended. “I am supposed to see Marinette later.”

Dick turned his head and looked at him.

“That isn’t until later though. Do you really need 4 hours to get ready?

“How would you know what time I am meeting Marinette?”

Dick looked back at him guiltily but he didn’t have an immediate response.

—

Once inside, Marinette plugged in the heating pad and started setting up a blockade on the ground. She pulled all the supplies out of her bag before she reached into the box. The kittens were mewling and climbing all over each other. She let them out and started trying to see how many of them she could feed at once. They were eager for the little bottles of formula and drank greedily. Some of them were fighting to get a place near the available food.

She had wet food to offer them too, but she wanted to get them milk first. They were all so small even for the suspected age from the available vet at the pet store. He had shown her all the things she would need but he looked a bit grim like he didn’t expect all of them to make it. He said it was possible but they would have a lot of work to do before they were healthy.

As they finished eating she started wiping them down with a towel and moved them to the heating pad. Soon they were all asleep, one of them resting his head on her foot. She just stayed there on the floor with them in a pile and started working on her designing until it was time for the next feeding.

She dozed off slightly and woke suddenly with the sound of the door opening suddenly.

—

“What is going on with you and my brother?” Damian asked as soon as he saw Marinette.

He didn’t know why Dick and Marinette were talking but it was clearly something they were hiding. She had jumped up to greet him when he opened the door but his eyes narrowed at her and she froze. They were clearly in cahoots and he wanted answers.

“Damian,” Marinette said softly.

It was the voice she used when she had to say something he didn’t like or to soothe him. Usually he would allow her to do so. But Dick had spent the entire way back trying to convince him not to return home yet. It was not his birthday and Marinette knew better than to throw him a surprise party anyway. He liked having her in his apartment but he couldn’t understand why it was a secret. A secret she had with his brother.

He stepped forward when he heard a noise behind her but she sidestepped to block him.

“What is the meaning of this?” he asked.

He looked around at the many kittens that were in his apartment. He loved animals but kittens were a lot of work and he didn’t have the time or energy for that right now. He looked over at Marinette. He rarely used a stern voice around her and she looked nearly in tears.

“I found them in the alley behind my apartment,” she said. “I was going to keep them in my apartment just for a few days but the landlord saw me so I assured him they weren’t staying with me.”

“Did you know about this?” Damian asked.

“I might have helped her get into your building slightly and possibly kept you away,” Dick said.

One of the tiny kittens walked to the edge of the barrier where Damian was standing and mewled so loud it was a scream.

“That one is Grumpy,” Marinette said. Damian turned quickly and gave her a look before he realized she was telling the kitten’s name. She kept pointing to them as she spoke. “There is Sleepy, Doc, Sneezy, Happy, Dopey and the one under the edge of the pillow is Bashful.”

Dick leaned down and picked up 2 of them and Marinette started cleaning up the mess from the feeding earlier and pulling out a pack of wet food as well as more bottles of formula. Damian turned her back to him.

“There is no way I can handle this, Marinette. I can’t take care of seven kittens.”

Her face fell but Damian lifted her chin to meet her eyes. “I can’t do it alone. I will need you to stay here with me until they are all adopted.”

Marinette threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. She pulled herself up to kiss him before responding.

“You mean it? We can keep them?”

“Of course. Then after, we can talk about whether you want to move in here with me full time.”

Rather than responding she just lifted herself onto her toes to kiss him again. Until the cries of the kittens pulled them apart.

Taglist

@theymakeupfairies | @emjrabbitwolf | @vixen-uchiha | @trythisagainlove | @trippingovermyfeet | @tbehartoo | @izanae | @kittenmywaythrulife | @folk-ever-lore | @jayjayspixiepop | @achaoticmess1

@adrestar | @zynna | @jeminiikrystal

#daminette #ttt2022 #boldlyanxious #art couple #fluff?

[deathbymeow]

I Wanna House You

Prompt - 'I was on my way to buy some flowers for you',

Contains language and some sexual content

This is my first attempt at writing since April and it was a lot of fun

contains lyrics out of Beyoncé's song 'Summer Renaissance'

“I wanna house you and make you take my name.” Was not what a hungover Marinette wanted to wake up to blasting through her speaker. The same speaker that someone had placed on her pillow next to her pounding head. 

She reached for said speaker and fumbled for a bit till she could find the off button. 

“Tikki?” 

“Yes Marinette?” The little red bug like creature zoomed into the room, a not so innocent smile on her little face. She handed Marinette some pain killers and pointed to a bottle of water on her bedside table. 

Marinette downed the tablets with the water then pointed to the speaker. “Please tell me last night didn’t happen?”

“Oh, it happened alright. Wanna see the video? I have it from multiple angles.” Chloe walked in waving her phone in the air all the while smirking like the brat she was. She flopped onto the bed next to a freaked-out Marinette. 

Marinette took one look at the screen and saw herself sitting on Jason Todd’s lap grinding against him. “Oh. My. God. Why do you let me drink?!” She slumped back and threw the covers over her head. 

“Because drunk Marinette is the life of the party. Duh.” Chloe chuckled. “I’m going to make us some greasy food and then you can tell me how you wanna ‘house’ Jason. The same Jason who you claim is the bane of your existence.” 

Marinette only groaned from somewhere under the blankets. Why oh, why did she do this to herself? 

Let’s take it back a notch. 

When Marinette first met the Red Hood, he stood for everything she didn’t. He was loud and obnoxious and oh so cocky. Sure, he looked good doing what he did but then he had to open his mouth. And there was the fact that he used guns. Guns that he kept strapped to his impressive thighs that Marinette definitely hadn’t noticed. Just like that ass that gave Nightwing a run for his money. Nope she hadn’t looked at all.

Jason Todd was no different. He was drop dead gorgeous. Could put Greek gods to shame. With all those muscles rippling under his tight t-shirt not to mention those grey sweatpants he liked to train in. Blue eyes you could get lost in. Oh, and that smile of his did things to Marinette that made her cheeks flush. The term pantie dropper was very appropriate for him, not that she would tell him that. Nope, her panties would be staying firmly where they should be, thank you. 

He irritated Marinette like no other. He called her Pixie Pop and enjoyed reminding her of how small she was. So, when Marinette put him on his ass multiple times in training, she couldn’t help but smirk at the surprised look on the self-righteous asshats face. 

It didn’t take her long to work out Jason Todd aka Red Hood was the same damn person, go figure. So, she’d spent the last year trying to avoid missions with him. To be honest she was angry at her body. The way it reacted around him was a dangerous distraction. One she didn’t want to admit to.

No. Nope. Not gonna happen. Or so she thought till last night. She had done so well at avoiding him, but it was Dick’s birthday and he’d practically begged her to come. In true Dick style it was at a karaoke bar in the nicer part of the city. Most of the Justice League would be there so it promised to be an interesting night.

A few drinks couldn’t hurt. Huh, famous last words. 

Marinette could sing, like really sing but it wasn’t something most people knew about her. Over the years her confidence had grown, and she was so far removed from the stuttering teenager she once was. That didn’t mean she was about to sing in front of people, especially the Justice league. No, she reserved it for the shower, car trips and when she had her shared apartment to herself. 

That said Chloe and Alya knew. As her long-time besties and roommates, they knew everything there was to know about Marinette. Even things she hadn’t worked out herself yet. Like how she was crushing bad for one of the bat boys. They also knew some songs were Marinette’s kryptonite, especially drunk Marinette. 

In their defence they weren’t to know how it would go down after several shots and who knows how many long island iced teas. Poor Marinette. Who knew long island iced tea had no tea in it. 

So, the stage was set, Alya had requested Beyoncé’s new song ‘summer renaissance’. Nino who was in charge of the karaoke machine who else would it be queued the song and Chloe dragged Marinette onto the stage after they downed another shot. 

The song started and Marinette, with microphone in hand, didn’t even miss a beat. Her eyes landed on Jason who had conveniently been seated at the table right infront of the stage. 

Marinette’s eyes ran over him, drinking in how good he looked in tight jeans and his leather jacket. He returned the favour, and when his eyes finally met hers, he seductively licked his lip and winked at her. The smug fucker then smirked at her. That damn pantie dropping kinda smirk that tipped Marinette over the edge. If he wanted to play, then she was going to come out on top. In more ways than one. 

As she started to sing, she held his glaze and walked to the front of the stage. 

“I wanna house you and make you take my name.

I’m gonna spouse you and make you touch a ring.”

Then she gracefully used the waiter that was passing as a steppingstone. Her healed foot left his shoulder before he even knew what was happening. She gracefully stepped onto Jason’s table somehow avoiding all the drinks without taking her eyes off of him. 

“I’m gonna take you all the way, baby can I take you all the way?”

At this point Jason’s smirk had turned into a full-blown smile that showed his dimples. He slyly adjusted himself, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Marinette. She dropped to her knees and bought her face close to Jason’s.

“You sexy motherfucker, boy, you growin’ on me.

I just wanna thug you, the category is bae”

You gangsta motherfucker, boy, you growin’ on me.”

Jason ran his fingers over her jaw then dragged them down her neck as she slid onto his lap. His hands rested on her hips as she started to dance on his lap.

“I just wanna touch you, I can feel, feel those jeans.

Ah, ah,, ah, oh, woo

Boy you never had a chance.”

At this point Marinette will not admit to grinding against the growing bulge in his pants. It was tasteful dancing thank you. Cough, cough bullshit.

“If you make my body talk, I’m leave you in a trance.

Got you walking with a limb, with this body make it dance.

Dance, dance, dance.” 

Jason had his hands all over her body and his lips met her neck as she all but purred the next line.”

“It’s so good, it’s so good, it’s so good.”

Someone called out ‘get a room’ so Jason stood up still holding on to Marinette’s waist. He gave her a moment to protest but she wrapped her legs around his waist and sang the next line, “It’s so good, it’s so good, it’s so good,” before dramatically dropping the mic. The crowd cheered and hollered as the two exited the bar with Marinette still wrapped around Jason and his lips all over her neck. 

Jason carried her to a room behind the bar, slammed the door and locked it behind him. She grabbed his face and slammed her lips into his. His skilled tongue caressed hers and she couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like somewhere else. He backed her up against the nearest wall, grabbed her ass with one hand and her throat with the other. 

“You sure you want this Pix?” He all but growled. 

She bit her lip and nodded. Marinette may have been drunk out there but everything about this had sobered her up. His body against hers had sparked something primal in her. She needed Jason to ease the ache between her legs like she needed air to breath. 

“Use your words, Pix. I need to hear you say it.” He demanded while he ran his nose behind her ear, breathing in her scent and making her nipples harden against her bra. 

“I want you, Jason. Please.” She begged rolling her hips against his arousal.

“Good girl.” He growled against her lips as he lifted her top off.  

His lips burned her sensitive skin as he nipped and licked down her throat till he reached her lacey bra. He roughly pulled it down and took her nipple between his teeth as she threw her head back and moaned. 

“You know this doesn’t mean I like you, right?” Marinette mewed as she took her turn to rid him of his jacket and shirt. 

“I wouldn’t expect anything less Pixie.” He laughed against her lips.

>.<

“Food bitches.” Chloe’s voice rang through the apartment stirring Marinette from her thoughts of Jason. 

God, she didn’t regret the amazing sex. It was more about the show she’d put on for everyone and the fact that they all knew exactly what they’d done after. How the hell was she going to face them all and what was she going to say to Jason next time she had to see him?

Deciding she wasn’t ready to face Chloe yet either she headed for the shower in hopes to clear her mind. Twenty minutes later with freshly washed hair and dressed in her favourite hoodie and jeans, she slumped down in the chair across from Chloe and a handful of kwamis.

“Okay that was just plan rude.” Chloe grumbled as she got a plate out of the oven and placed it infront of Marinette.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Chlo but what the hell?” Marinette frowned and crossed her arms. “I see what you were trying to do, and I also see the funny side of it but holy shit what the hell am I meant to do on Monday when I have to report to the League?!” 

Chloe choked on her orange juice as she tried her hardest to supress her laughter. “I was just trying to get you laid. The lap dance was all you baby. But might I say a very nice added bonus. You should’ve seen Bruce’s face.” She lost it at that. 

Marinette grumbled “thanks” then threw a piece of bacon at the blonde. 

“So do I lead with, hey Batman, sorry for publicly giving your son a lap dance at your other son’s party but shit was it worth it. Jason sure knows how to use his mouth when he’s not talking shit. You should be real proud. And the multiple O factor mmhmm a girl could get use to that.” Marinette ended with a chefs kiss then rested her elbows on the table and giggled at Chloe who was howling with laughter. 

“Yes! That, say that I dare you. But girl I need all the details. Spill.” 

Two hours later Marinette found herself heading to her studio to work on a last-minute commission. She was lost in her head and didn’t see the person in front of her. It was like running into a brick wall and she would have landed on her ass if it wasn’t for the strong arms that wrapped around her.

“Hey Pixie. Fallin’ for me already.” 

Marinette looked up to find Jason smiling down at her. He smelt amazing and memories of last night came flooding back. “You wish.”

“What if I do?” Jason asked as he brushed a lose strand of her hair behind her ear, letting his fingers linger on her jaw. 

Marinette’s brain still hadn’t caught up and she mumbled “You don’t live here.” 

“Sure don’t, but I hear there’s a crazy talented designer on this side of the city.” 

“Real smooth Casanova.”

“You seemed to think so last night.”

“What can I say you’re not as annoying when you’re not talking.”

“Don’t pretend like you didn’t get off on being called a good girl.” He growled in her ear.

Marinette narrowed her eyes at him. There was no way she was going to let him know just what those two words did to her panties. “What are you doing here anyway?” She snapped crossing her arms.

“You want the truth Pix? I was on my way to buy some flowers for you.” He rubbed the back of his neck. 

It was the first time Marinette had seen Jason look nervous and it left her speechless. Something that didn’t happen often. “Oh.”

“Look I don’t regret anything that happened last night, but I wanted to ask you out on a date and flowers just seemed right. You know, do things the right way round. Maybe I got the wrong impression about last night.”  

Jason took a step back and Marinette instantly missed the warmth he radiated. She grabbed his jacket and pulled him back to her. “You talk too much.”

“Like you can…” His words were lost when Marinette kissed him hard on the mouth. It only took him a second to catch up. He wrapped one of his hands around her ponytail, gentle pulling her head back so he could deepen the kiss. His other hand rested on her hip under her hoodie. 

It was at this point Marinette realised maybe Jason Todd wasn’t that bad after all. No scrap that, he was totally bad but in the most delicious way.

#jasonette #maribat #jason x marinette #maribat fanfic #ml x dc #deathbymeow #ttt2022

[the-coffee-fandom]

Marinette: Don't you dare

Tim: *holding back a laugh* That looked like it hurt

Marinette: *glares* If you say anything

Tim: I don't have to *points behind them*

Marinette: *turns around to see Adrien and Nino doubled over while Chloe and Luka were quietly laughing*

Marinette: Damn it-

Dick over comms: Everything ok over there?

Tim: *raises hand to comm*

Marinette: *grabs his wrist* not a word

Adrien's voice over comms: LB just ran into a pole

Dick: What?

Adrien: There was a giant poster on that one store on Main street of Tim Drake in-

Jason: *laughing as comms in* Damn bug, oogling on the job?

Marinette: *groans* I will kill you all

Tim: *chuckles* sure you will

-Next day-

Tim: *looking around confused* Alfred have you seen my coffee machine

Alfred: Mistress Marinette has taken it.

Tim: wha-

Alfred: And don't try work either. She's taken that one too. And she convinced Master Bruce to pay coffee shops across the state to not serve you for the entire day.

Tim: *shooked* huh-

#Bit excessive aint that Mari? #Spoiler alert tim tried anyhow #alfred wasnt lying #no coffee shop would serve him #he crossed states only to find that Marinette was very thourough #one place took pity on him #but it was decaf #maribat #dc #mlb x dc #tim drake #miraculous ladybug #timari #revenge #ttt2022 #i think im funny sometimes

[maribatserver]

Tag Team Tournament 2022

Are you ready to tag into Maribat?

This summer, from July 31 – August 6th, the Maribat Discord Server will be hosting our first ever Tag Team Tournament event! 

Eight teams will be competing to post as much new content as possible during the event: all to find out which ship is truly the most popular in our fun little corner of the fandom!

Our teams this summer, in no particular order:

Spandex Flex - Dickinette Book Design - Jasonette Art Couple - Daminette Java Junkies - Timari Lucky Shot - Roynette Sunshine Children - Marijon 3's Company - Poly Ships Rare Flair - Any Ship Without a Team

Who's on the teams? Well, anyone who wants to be! And since this is the Tag Team Tournament, creators can tag in and tag out of teams as they please, creating as much or as little as they’d like to support each ship — multishippers rejoice! We'll be releasing logos for each team as we get closer to the event, so keep an eye out in the weeks to come!

How do you participate? Our full Event Guide Document explains everything you need to know, including the rules, submission guidelines, scoring guidelines, and more! You’ll also find the submission form — only content submitted through this form will be scored for your team, so make sure you read the whole document and fill it out. 

If you're posting on AO3, we have an Event Collection for your fics. If you're posting on Tumblr, make sure to tag your creation with #TTT2022 so we can see it and reblog it here! 

If you’d like to keep an eye on the scores for each team (and maybe tag into a team to help bump them up), our Event Guide Document offers a publicly accessible tracker, complete with live-updating team totals!

In the mean time, we hope you'll join us in the Maribat Discord Server as we prepare for the event!

#daminette #maribat #jasonette #timari #dickinette #maribat discord server #tag team tournament #TTT2022 #miraculous ladybug x batfam #event #ship war #marijon #roynette #timinette

[serenescribbles]

and so are you

For the Tag Team Tournament 2022 Day 4 Prompt

Marinette cheerfully skipped down the steps of the school. When she reached the gates, her ride was waiting for her.

“What’s up, kid?”

Her adoptive brother, Jason, stood on the sidewalk leaning against his motorcycle. He had his red helmet tucked under one arm and her pink one under the other.

CW: Implied/Referenced Character Death, Grief/Mourning

AO3 | Masterlist

一

It was a sunny afternoon in Gotham. The rain from the morning was mostly gone, but there were still small puddles on the sidewalk. Students from Gotham Academy had just been dismissed and could be seen walking home with their friends. They all sported the uniform of the school.

Marinette cheerfully skipped down the steps of the school. When she reached the gates, her ride was waiting for her.

“What’s up, kid?”

Her adoptive brother, Jason, stood on the sidewalk leaning against his motorcycle. He had his red helmet tucked under one arm and her pink one under the other. A gaggle of girls from her school was fawning over him from the side. She rolled her eyes at them.

“The sky, duh!”

Jason handed Marinette her helmet and laughed. “You always say that!”

She put her helmet on and made sure it was secure. At the same time, Jason put on his.

“Of course I do,” Marinette huffed. “When is the sky not up?”

“Touché,”

The two got on Jason’s motorcycle, Jason in front and Marinette behind. She’d been looking forward to this the whole day! Marinette couldn’t hold in her excitement.

“Hurry up! If you’re going to be this slow, the ice cream shop will be closed by the time we get there!”

“Okay! Okay! I’m going! I didn’t know you liked ice cream that much,”

“It’s not just because of the ice cream,”

-----

Marinette had been adopted by Mr. Wayne a few months ago. Her family had been on vacation in Gotham and were caught up in a Rogue attack. Her maman and papa protected her from the Rogues until Batman and Robin showed up. But by then, it was too late for the two of them. Her parents requested Batman find someone to take care of her. That was the last time they said they loved her.

It was hard for Marinette to live without her parents. The first few weeks with Mr. Wayne were spent crying in her room. Even now, it was hard for her to cope. According to Mr. Wayne, the pain would never go away, but it would become more bearable over time.

Living with Mr. Wayne was different. The Manor was more spacious than the bakery and made Marinette feel lonely sometimes. The bakery had never been quiet. It was always filled with warmth and laughter. Mr. Wayne was kind and all, but he seemed distant. And he always disappeared at night! No matter where she looked in the Manor, Marinette couldn’t find him. She had heard that Mr. Wayne was a playboy. Did he go out and meet people at night when she was (supposed to be) asleep?

Alfred also seemed very warm, but Marinette always felt she shouldn’t distract him from doing his job. He looked like the type of person who didn’t tolerate any nonsense. Before, Marinette wanted to ask him if she could use the kitchen and bake something because she missed her maman and papa’s food. However, whenever she approached him, something always came up! Marinette gave up after the 10th attempt.

And apparently, Mr. Wayne had adopted two sons before her, but they were never around. The first one, Dick, lived in Blüdhaven and was a police officer. He and Mr. Wayne had a tense relationship. Dick didn’t visit much. No one really talked about the second son. Marinette had to find out about him on her own. That’s how she figured out why they never mentioned him. Apart from them, a kid named Tim came around sometimes. He was a little older than her, and Marinette thought she recognized him from school. They didn’t talk much, either.

She really couldn’t understand them. What kind of family didn’t communicate with each other? They barely spent time together! Marinette had been even more confused when she met Jason for the first time. From what she read, he was supposed to be dead! Jason never answered her questions regarding that.

On their first meeting, Marinette had been walking out the gates of Gotham Academy, like today. Some random guy (Jason) came up to her and said he would drive her home. Neither Mr. Wayne nor Alfred had told her about this, but Marinette went with him. He looked a little scary the first time he approached her and introduced himself as Jason. Then he took her out for ice cream before sending her home.

That was pretty nice of him. Mr. Wayne and Alfred must’ve asked Jason to take care of her. After that, Jason continued to pick her up from school. They didn’t get ice cream every day, but they did go a couple times a week.

The thing with Jason still bothered her, though. Marinette understood why they wouldn’t mention Jason if he were dead. But he was actually alive! So why did they never talk about him? In the end, Marinette figured it wasn’t her place to judge them on their family dynamics. Mr. Wayne was already generous enough to take her in.

-----

“If you say so, kiddo,” Jason replied.

“I’m being serious, though!”

Part of the reason Marinette wanted Jason to hurry was so she could hang out with him. Jason was friendly and easier to approach than the rest of the family. They had lots of fun conversations together while eating ice cream. He also knew the answer to almost everything she asked him. Sometimes, he would help her with her homework.

Jason started driving the familiar path to the ice cream shop. They had to stop at a traffic light, and when it turned green, they went left. They took a few more turns before arriving. After all, the shop was pretty close to Gotham Academy.

Her adoptive brother parked his motorcycle, and when they fully came to a stop, Marinette took her helmet off. Jason did the same. She dashed to the door and opened it for Jason to come inside. Once he did, Marinette went in, too.

The inside of the shop was the same as always. The paint on the walls was faded, while the tiles on the floor had chips and cracks. There was a teenage girl at the counter, and she looked utterly bored out of her mind.

“Welcome. What can I get for you today?”

“Let’s see,” Marinette paused for a second to look at the menu. “Can I get two scoops of cookies and cream in a waffle cone, please?”

“And I’ll have two scoops of black raspberry in a waffle cone, please,”

“Okay,” the girl replied. “Please insert or swipe your card here,”

Jason paid for their orders, and they took a seat near the window.

“So, how was school today?” He asked.

Marinette shrugged. “School is school. It was okay, I guess.”

“Are you still having trouble understanding what the teachers are saying?”

“No, not as much anymore,”

When Marinette started at Gotham Academy, she had a hard time, given that English wasn’t her first language. But over time, she slowly began to pick up the language, making things easier for Marinette. She still struggled at times, but that happened less and less.

They continued talking until the girl said their orders for ready. Then Jason and Marinette took their cones and sat back down.

She took a bite of her cookies and cream. Her ice cream was so delicious! It was the perfect way to cool down after a long school day. Marinette closed her eyes and let the ice cream melt away on her tongue.

“Ahem,” Jason cleared his throat.

Opening her eyes again, Marinette saw Jason staring at her, and he looked amused. The corners of his lips were turned up.

“Yes? Oh, dearest brother of mine?”

He chuckled. “Earlier, didn’t you say the reason you wanted me to hurry up wasn’t only because of the ice cream? Well, you sure look like you’re enjoying yourself right now,”

“Hmph!” Marinette crossed her arms and looked away from Jason. “I’m allowed to enjoy ice cream, you know! And since you’re that interested in my enjoyment of ice cream, why don’t you give me yours, too?”

“What? No thanks! I’m enjoying my ice cream very much,”

“See?”

“Sure I do, kid. No one can beat your logic!”

Marinette puffed up when Jason said that. “Of course, they can’t! My logic is sound!”

“Yes, all hail Marinette, the Queen of Logic! Thank you for gracing me with your presence!”

Jason pretended to bow to her, and Marinette couldn’t help giggling. “You’re always so dramatic,”

“Please, you love me because I’m dramatic!”

“Keep telling yourself that,”

He made offended noises when she said that. “Hey!”

Bzzt-bzzt! Bzzt-bzzt!

Her phone started ringing all of a sudden. Marinette looked at the Caller ID, and it was Mr. Wayne!

“Sorry, Jason, Mr. Wayne is calling me,”

Marinette picked up the call. “Hello, Mr. Wayne!”

“Hi Marinette, I was wondering where you are right now since school has already ended, and you haven’t come back to the Manor yet,”

“Oh, I’m with Jason right now! We’re eating ice cream.”

“Jason? You’re with him?”

Mr. Wayne’s voice turned tense, and Marinette realized her mistake. She wasn’t supposed to mention him! There was nothing Marinette could do about it now.

“Y-yeah,” she continued. “I thought you knew. Didn’t you ask him to pick me up from school every day?”

“I… did? I mean, yes, I did. I just forgot momentarily. Do you mind letting me speak to him for a moment?”

“Sure,”

“Jason, Mr. Wayne wants to speak to you,”

She handed her phone to him, and Jason began talking to Mr. Wayne. His face looked tense, just like how Mr. Wayne’s voice sounded. For a few minutes, Jason’s expression became angry. The two were speaking in low voices, so Marinette couldn’t hear them clearly. Though, she wondered what they were saying to make Jason look like that.

After a few more minutes, Jason returned her phone. He looked unhappy.

“Marinette?” Mr. Wayne asked.

“Yes?”

“Alfred will pick you up in a few minutes. Jason has something he needs to do, so he can’t send you home. I hope that’s alright with you,”

“Yeah, that’s okay!”

They exchanged goodbyes before hanging up.

Once Marinette put her phone away, she glanced over at Jason. “Are you… okay?”

In an instant, the upset on Jason’s face washed away. He turned and smiled at her. “Of course! No need to worry! I’m doing fine. Your ice cream, on the other hand…”

“Noooo! My ice cream!!”

It had melted and was dripping on the table a little. Marinette tried her best to clean the mess up and salvage what was left of her ice cream. By the time she did that, Alfred had arrived.

Jason took her out of the shop to greet him.

“Master Jason, Miss Marinette,”

“Hello!”

“Hey, Alfred,”

Alfred and Jason were locked in an intense staring contest until Jason finally looked away. Then Marinette got in the car with Alfred.

“Bye, Jason!” She waved. “I had fun today!”

“See you later, kid,”

-----

“Alfred, did you know about this?”

“Know about what? I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific, Master Bruce. I know many things, but I am not sure what you want me to tell you,”

“...”

“Silence doesn’t tell me what you are talking about. Forgive me for being old and unable to speak with you using telepathy.”

“...did you know about Jason meeting Marinette every day after school?”

“There! How wonderful. Isn’t it much nicer when we use our words to communicate our thoughts? And to answer your question, I didn’t know. It was quite a surprise for me, too,”

“What if Jason harmed her? I should’ve been more aware of who she was meeting! Did you notice anything off about him when you met him?”

“Well, I suppose the dear boy has grown taller. I didn’t notice anything else different about him. And Master Bruce, you should know Master Jason enough to know he wouldn’t harm Miss Marinette! She’s just a child,”

“But he-”

“I’m terribly sorry, Master Bruce, but I’m going to have to cut you off. Master Jason hasn’t harmed Miss Marinette, and I doubt he would in the future. Miss Marinette looked happy when she was with him. You aren’t going to deny Miss Marinette her happiness, are you?”

“...”

“Haah, again with the telepathy. Bruce, my boy, you may be well-versed in it, but I am a simple butler who can only understand words. Please, surely you can accommodate my needs?”

#maribat #ttt2022 #jasonette #dc x mlb #mlb x dc #day 4 #Book Design

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

and so are you

by serenescribbles

Marinette cheerfully skipped down the steps of the school. When she reached the gates, her ride was waiting for her.

“What’s up, kid?”

Her adoptive brother, Jason, stood on the sidewalk leaning against his motorcycle. He had his red helmet tucked under one arm and her pink one under the other.

Words: 2090, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Miraculous Ladybug, Batman - All Media Types, DCU, Maribat - Fandom

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: Gen

Characters: Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth

Relationships: Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug & Jason Todd, Alfred Pennyworth & Bruce Wayne

Additional Tags: ttt2022, no beta we die like jason todd, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Ice Cream, Sibling Bonding, Gotham Academy, Sassy Alfred Pennyworth, Fluff, Adoption, Bruce Wayne Tries to Be a Good Parent, But He's Bad At Communication

source https://archiveofourown.org/works/40784523

#IFTTT #bruce wayne #batman #the dark knight #the cape crusader #gotham #dc universe #ao3 #ao3feed

[mochegato]

I’ll Be by Your Side

Marinette breathed a sigh of relief as she and Roy made their way through the Zeta tube into the Watchtower.  The rest of the team had returned to the Watchtower to give their reports hours before, only she and Roy had stayed behind to return the miraculous they’d acquired just before Klarion could get his hands on it, a fact he very much did not take well, causing the massive fight that had injured almost everyone on the team and almost killed them all a few times. Klarion had escaped, but the miraculous was now back with the Order, so she was counting the mission as successful no matter what Dick said.

Roy’s hastily bandaged arm was slung over Marinette’s shoulders while his other wrapped around his ribs, at least one of which he was sure was fractured, if not broken.  A fact he definitely did not want her to know about.  Because if she knew, she was going to fret over him and while the idea of her nursing him to health did sound appealing, the idea of her worrying did not.

Despite looking like she was completely untouched, she had fought just as hard or harder than the rest of them.  She deserved a long relaxing massage, which Roy desperately wanted to provide to her himself, but he suspected his ribs were not going to allow it.  The bastards. He deserved it too, to let his hands wander all over Marinette’s body, to see how many different blissfully captivating sounds he could get her to make.  But no!  His ribs were foiling him.

He grunted in annoyance but smiled quickly when Marinette looked up at him questioningly, her arm wrapped lightly around his waist, an offer to support him, should he need it.  An offer he staunchly refused to take her up on.  He may have needed her to save his ass several times during the fight, but he was going to make it to his bed of his own volition, though hopefully accompanied by Marinette.

“I’m not going anywhere with you until you’ve been seen by a doctor,” Marinette snorted, redirecting him from the living quarters toward the med bay.

Roy’s step faltered at her proclamation, turning wide eyes to her that narrowed at her cackles.  “I said that out loud then.”

“You did,” she confirmed.  Her laughter echoed down the halls until they reached the entry way just before the infirmary.

He stopped short of the doors to fix her with a mock glare.  “There is nothing wrong with wanting to go to bed with my girlfriend.”

Marinette’s smile split into a beaming grin.  “I love when you call me that.”  It had only been a few weeks since they decided to make it official but then the info on this mission popped up suddenly, taking most of Marinette’s focus, so they hadn’t gotten the chance to really bask in the new phase yet.

He pulled her fully in front of him so he could look into her eyes and cup her face gently.  “And I can’t wait to keep calling you that.  I haven’t gotten to call you that enough yet.”

“No, you haven’t,” she agreed as she nuzzled into his hand.  He started to lean down but she stopped him short with a finger to his chest.  His face scrunched slightly in confusion, but Marinette smirked at him.  “Doc tor.” She enunciated each syllable slowly and gently prodded him to turn toward the infirmary doors.

He groaned but acquiesced, as he usually did when she was involved.  Not only because she was usually right, but because of the brilliant smile it resulted in whenever he did.  Not as brilliant as the smiles he got when she caught him watching her from across the room, but beautiful just the same.  A smile like the one on her face when he agreed this time too.  He studied her face for a moment before finally letting her pull him through the doors.

But before they could cross the threshold, the doors slid open, and a large mass of muscle blocked their way.  Marinette looked up in confusion for a moment before recognizing the figure in front of them.

“Dick.”  Her voice was cold and impersonal, certainly not a tone befitting team members who had just fought a difficult battle side by side.  She stared at him expectantly for a few moments before huffing and moving to push past him.  “Do you mind? I’m trying to get Roy to the doctor, too.”  She looked him up and down quickly, her eyes zeroing in on his full arm cast.  “That looks like it hurt.”

“Could be worse,” he said with a small smile and a shrug, but the smile turned to a wince as the pain from his shoulder shot through him. His eyes shot to Roy when he scoffed and immediately down to the ground.  He knew exactly what the scoff was meant to convey.  ‘It would have been worse if Marinette hadn’t been there to save him.’

He looked back up at Marinette through his lashes. “I was hoping we could talk,” Dick said quietly, vulnerability clear in his voice and in his eyes.  His frame seemed to carry more tension than it had during their fight.

Marinette blinked at him.  It was not a tone she was used to hearing from him, at least not around her.  She was used to cold, harsh, judgmental words from him.  Words that dismissed her from a conversation or mission.  This was something new.  “Okay,” she agreed uncertainly.  She didn’t think it was a trap, Dick was usually more straightforward than that.

The tension in Dick’s body eased slightly at her words and an easy, hopeful smile made its way to his lips.  He motioned to a spot just a few steps away.  “Now?”

Roy’s arms tightened around Marinette automatically, but Marinette squeezed his arm reassuringly before nodding to Dick.  He moved over to the spot to wait for her, fidgeting anxiously while he waited.  “Roy, do you think you can wait on your own for a few minutes?” Marinette asked, looking in his eyes for any sign of discomfort.

“I'm staying right here,” he said firmly, his pointed stare never leaving Dick.  He attempted to stand up straighter as he stared Dick down.

“Red Arrow, you’re up next.  Get on the bed so I can take a look at your injuries,” the doctor cut in with a wide smile for Roy that pursed at seeing Marinette.

Roy opened his mouth to object, but Marinette interrupted him, her voice quiet but firm.  “I can handle Dick. It's fine.  There’s nothing he can say that he hasn’t before.”

He looked at her unconvinced, his lips pressed together tightly in disapproval.  “Fine.  I'll be staying right there.”  He motioned to the bed the doctor had just ordered him to. “Let me know what he says so I can decide if I’m going to deck him or not.”

“Do not beat up your best friend over me,” she chided tiredly.  It wasn’t the first time they’d had this discussion.  She would bet it wouldn’t be the last.  “You promised me,” she reminded him.  She heard his next words in her head before he spoke them, having heard them enough times to have memorized them.

“I promised I wouldn’t attack him over you,” he corrected. “I made no such promise over him being an asshole.  The way he treats you isn’t deserved, and his behavior wouldn’t be okay even if it was. You’re an asset to the team, on or off the field.”

Marinette sighed but nodded.  “Got it.  I’m amazing. Now go get checked out… on!  Get checked on,” she corrected quickly.

Roy cocked his head to the side with a cocky grin. “Well…”

She looked over his shoulder and eyed the doctor suspiciously.  “Probably out as well…”

Roy chuckled and pulled her closer, his arms settling on her hips.  “He can look, he just can’t touch…” he paused to consider his words.  “Well, I guess he does have to touch, but not like touch touch.  Only you get to do that.”  He leaned down his smirk centimeters from her pout but stopped when his ribs reminded him that he was more injured than he wanted Marinette to know about.  He gulped down his yelp but couldn’t force himself to get any closer to Marinette and she was going to get suspicious any second now.

He was saved from admitting how badly he was hurt by Dick clearing his throat.  Roy glared up at him, both at the interruption and at his traitorous mind for feeling gratitude for it.  He wasn’t supposed to feel gratitude toward Dick right now.  “And don’t forget, I’ll back you if you decide to deck him yourself,” he added loud enough for Dick to hear.

Dick met his eyes with a serious look of his own but didn’t argue.  “Red Arrow!” the doctor warned sternly.

Roy huffed but turned to follow him.  He tried to crane his neck to watch Marinette and Dick, just to make sure she would be okay, but the door closed between them, cutting off his view, which was just as well.  His ribs reminded him of their status every time he turned his head and craning his neck was wrenching them painfully enough to make him want to throw up. But it didn’t stop him from turning toward the door at every sound, regardless of where it originated from.

Roy’s head whipped around when the med bay doors slip open with a loud woosh.  Tension he hadn’t realized he was holding eased out of his muscles when he saw Marinette walk in with a smile despite the sharp pain shooting through him.  While it wasn’t one of her brilliant smiles, it was unforced and natural, completely different than any of the smiles she’d pasted on after past interactions with Dick.

His eyes flicked over her shoulder to Dick.  He waved at Roy with a meek smile and gave him a thumbs up before turning to walk away.  Roy blinked at Dick’s back unsure how to react.  They hadn’t exchanged smiles or even been friendly in months. They worked together now.  That was it.  And not well.  Whatever grudge Dick had manufactured against Marinette from the first moment they met had assured that.

He had decided Marinette shouldn’t be a hero from the moment he met her because she didn’t understand an order he had shouted at her, an order his team understood intuitively, but she, as an outsider, had no way of knowing what it meant.  Added to that, she’d resolved the mission almost single handedly when the rest of them had gotten caught, a feat Dick wrote off as luck.  Objectively, he wasn’t wrong.  But luck was kind of her thing.  It was her weapon and she wielded it like he did his eskrima sticks.

But most offensively of all, she didn’t resolve it in the way Dick would have resolved it.  She didn’t approach anything the way Dick would approach it.  She was not his idea of a hero, and he made sure she knew how he felt every single time they interacted whether it be for a mission or as civilians.  And nothing Marinette did changed his mind or his attitude.  And Roy was the one to pick her back up after each cutting remark, each undeserved criticism, as she tried to pretend like it didn’t hurt, like a part of her didn’t think maybe he was right.

He looked back at Marinette and quickly pasted on a teasing smile.  “Took you a while.”

Marinette snorted and rolled her eyes.  “I thought I would buy some flowers for you while I was out,” she quipped back without missing a beat.

He made a show of trying to look behind her.  His eyes settled back on hers with a dramatically suspicious look.  “No flowers.”

Her eyes widened in surprise.  “I was shocked to discover the Watchtower does not, in fact, have a flower shop.”  She shrugged. “Unbelievable oversight.”

“A travesty,” he agreed with a grin.

“Absolutely,” she nodded definitively.  “We should do something about that.”

“Naturally,” he nodded along.  “What do you need from me to make it happen?”

She screwed her face up in thought.  “I’m going to need a couple thousand gallons of water, a couple million seeds, a couple tons of dirt, and to clear out the great hall so I can use it as my plot.”

“Or,” he offered instead, “you could just buy some flowers from somewhere else and bring them up.”

Marinette scrunched her face in disapproval.  “If you want to go the easy way out.”

Roy chuckled lightly and pulled her closer.  “How did it go?

She twined her fingers with his and took a beat focusing on the way they wrapped around each other before looking up.  “Pretty good, I think.”

He waited a few moments for her to elaborate before encouraging her to continue.  “What happened?”

“He apologized.  Admitted he was wrong about me.  Well, actually, he said he thinks he may have been wrong about me.” She smiled at the words, more than she might have otherwise, in an ineffective effort to get Roy to smile as well.  “But I’m counting it.  He thanked me for saving him today, and you.”

“And everyone,” Roy added.

“It was a team effort,” she corrected.  “We saved each other.”

“Some more than others,” he noted pointedly.

Marinette opened her mouth to continue arguing but snapped it shut.  It wasn’t an argument she wanted to get into.  Instead, she decided to focus on the potential positive outcome from the conversation.  “He said he wanted to start over.  Try to be friends and stop undermining me with the team.”

Roy grinned.  “Good.  It’s about time he got his head out of his ass.”

“Roy!” she exclaimed, trying to appear scandalized but her lips quirked up at the sides in barely restrained giggles.  She slapped his good shoulder.

“If you should refrain from assaulting my patients, I would greatly appreciate it,” the doctor spoke up, walking into their area.  He scowled at her.  “He doesn’t need more injuries.”

“How bad are his injuries?”  Marinette asked wide eyed.

The doctor looked her up and down critically.  He looked over at Roy with a questioning gaze, but Marinette looked at him at the same time, so he nodded his approval to share. “In addition to the gash in his arm, which will need its dressing changed twice a day for the next few days at least, there’s some bruising on his hips and thighs, a few minor lacerations around his chest, and two broken ribs and three more fractured.  He should stay on bed rest for a few days and shouldn’t sit up without assistance.  Definitely no,” he gazed at Marinette with a slight scowl, “strenuous activity for a few weeks.”

She turned to look at Roy just in time to see him shaking his head at the doctor.  When he noticed her gaze, he offered a wide, innocent smile.  “Did you know about this?” she screeched.  “How badly you’re hurt before you agreed to go with me to return the miraculous?  You should have come here immediately!”

“I may have suspected,” he trailed off as if the final conclusion was still news to him.  “But the strenuous activity part is a bit severe.  Surely just a few days.”

“Roy!” Marinette exclaimed again exasperated.  She reached out to slap his shoulder again, but stopped just short, looking at the doctor sheepishly.

“I’ll be fine,” Roy assured her, his voice calm and soothing.  He pulled her closer until she was seated on the bed next to him and he could reach his good arm up to cup her face reassuringly.  “I’ve had worse.  I would have had worse if it weren’t for you.”

“I’m going to wrap up his ribs, give him something for the pain, and he will be free to go,” the doctor interrupted.  “He should take more every 6 to 8 hours until the pain goes away, probably won’t be for another couple days.  I’ll have my nurse bag some up for you if you want to pick them up from the medicine closet.”

Marinette nodded and pecked Roy’s lips quickly before turning around and marching out the door.

“You’re just going to kiss me and then run away?” Roy called after her indignantly.

She spun back to look at him just after passing through the doors, holding up her phone for him to see. “I’m going to get you your medicine, you idiot, and order some food so we can pick it up on our way back to your place so you can eat and then go to sleep.”

“With you,” he added pointedly.

Marinette beamed back at him. “Of course.  I’m going to nurse the hell out of you.  You won’t know what hit you.”  Her smile dropped and her eyes widened at the glare the doctor gave her. “Not hit,” she corrected quickly. “How you got so lucky,” she offered instead, her voice rising at the end as if in a question.  “You won’t know how you got so lucky.”

Roy snorted but smiled at her.  That was definitely a good way to describe how he felt.  Even with his ribs screeching at him for breathing, his arm throbbing, and his leg giving a constant dull ache, he still felt like he was the luckiest person alive.  “I’m already there, Fire Flower.”

The adoring, dazzling smile she shot back before she turned away and the doors closed, melted him into a puddle until a sharp pain shot through him at the new pressure on his ribs.  “Easy there, Lover Boy.  Let’s focus on getting better first.”

Roy let out a long, pained breath.  “Right,” he nodded in agreement.  After all, the faster he got healthy, the faster he could get back to those strenuous activities.

@maribat-calendar-events @maribatserver

#maribat #TTT2022 #all the prompts #roynette

[mochegato]

Band-Aids and Ice

Roy waited anxiously at the door, pacing back and forth and shoving the curtains aside harshly causing them to fly up with a flourish before gently falling back into place.  Nox meowed questioningly each time looking up at Roy as though expecting an answer.  "No, I don't see her yet," he growled without looking at the cat who seemed to know his question was answered as he reached up to the low window ledge, resting his front paws on the ledge and looking out the window.

Roy grunted and started his pacing again, pausing only momentarily when he thought he heard Maggie make a noise in her crib. She wasn’t due for another feeding quite yet, but she’d been going through a growing spurt so it was entirely possible she would need to be fed earlier than usual.  He let out a quiet breath of relief when he didn’t hear any more noise. That was at least one less thing to worry about

He stared at his phone accusingly and clicked it on to check his messages again for an update to Marinette's last message.  The message was hardly informative.  It gave just enough information to make him worried and if it wasn’t for Maggie and Lian sleeping peacefully in their crib and bed, he would have gone out to find her already.  But as it was, he had to stand there and wait for her, no more helpful than Nox.

He whirled around when he heard Nox meowing excitedly and scratching at the front door, which finally creaked open a few moments later.  Marinette pushed through tentatively and Roy instantly held out the bandages and bottle of frozen water.  “Bandaids and ice,” he rushed out.

“What the hell happened?”  Panic bled through his voice as he examined her carefully.  She was dripping with sweat, which was hardly surprising in the current ungodly heat that stuck around even long after it had turned dark.  From the front, it didn’t look like anything was wrong, certainly nothing to explain her ‘Fell.  Going to need bandaids and ice as soon as I get home’ text she sent about half an hour into her run.

He awkwardly held out the box of bandaids and bottle for her again, but she pushed past him with a small whimper and a slight limp.  “I think I need to take a shower first.”  Roy nodded.  “Sorry.  Thank you,” she added quietly.  “I just…” she wiped her eyes.  “I need to get this sweat off of me.  It keeps getting in my eyes and the cuts and it hurts… more and…”  She cut herself off with a whimper.  Her eyes looked pained as she held her hands out and searched around for something.

He was next to her in an instant.  “What’s wrong?  What do you need?”

“I can’t… there’s nowhere to…” she whined loudly and pushed her hands against a dry area on her shorts, the pained expression easing slightly as she held them hard against her shorts.  She looked back up at him a few moments later, pain etched deeply in her furrowed brow and pursed lips.  She took a deep breath before pulling her hands away from her shorts to show him.

He hissed sympathetically at the sight.  There were wide, deep scrapes spanning the width of the heels of both palms and now that he looked a bit closer, he could see patches of blood on her running shorts and sports bra where she must have pressed her hands to stem the bleeding on her long walk home.  “Yeah, that looks like it hurts,” he said gently. “What happened?  You were just going for a run.”

“I fell running downhill,” she explained as she made her way to the bathroom.  “My foot caught and my brain kept going ‘fall in the grass, fall in the grass fall in the grass’ but my feet just kept… going.”

Roy hissed louder when he saw her back.  There were bits of grass and pollen stuck on her, but the scary part were the patches of road rash on her shoulder, ribs, and he was sure if he looked a bit lower, he’d see more on her hip.  She turned quickly toward him but followed his eyes and realized what he was looking at.  She craned her neck to try to see her back.  But hissed again immediately at the stretch to her skin.  “Is it bad?”

“You can’t feel anything?” he asked softly. The rash wasn’t bad, but he was sure it would still hurt like hell.

“I don’t feel much of anything beyond my hands right now.”  She stopped in front of the shower and looked at it uncertainly and back to her hands before returning her gaze back to the shower.  “I don’t…” she looked at her hands again, her eyes catching on her ankle for the first time, noticing the blood seeping into her sock from a gash in it as well.  Her attention was ripped back to her hands as a sudden flash of pain struck.  She searched for a place to press her hands to alleviate the pain but everywhere she looked seemed like a terrible idea.

She tried unsuccessfully to wipe the sweat out of her eyes and let her gaze settle back on the shower.  “How am I supposed to take a shower?” she whimpered.  “I can’t…” she looked at her hands apprehensively.  “I can’t wash my hair like this.”  She looked up at Roy.  “Can you wash my hair?”

“Of course,” Roy assured her.  He raised his hands to rest them comfortingly on her shoulder but realized just before making contact that may actually cause more pain than comfort after her injuries.

She suddenly whimpered loudly and glared at her hands.  A sudden realization seemed to come over her and her head whipped toward the door.  “Am I being too loud?  Am I going to wake up Lian and Marguerite?”

“You’re fine,” Roy assured her.  “Their doors are closed, and I haven’t heard a peep since you left.  Let’s get you that shower.  Do you need help?”  He motioned toward her clothes.

Marinette reached down to take her sports bra off but stopped before she got anywhere new.  “Can you…” she motioned toward it.  There was no way she was going to be able to get it off without crying.

Roy smiled softly and helped her take it off, being very careful not to touch the scrapes on her back or her hands.  As soon as it was off, he knelt down and helped her take her shoes and socks off.  He turned the shower on while she slowly took her shorts off, hissing as she pushed them past her hip.  She twisted to look at her hip and winced.  That was definitely a nice example of road rash she had going on there. It was a miracle her shorts weren’t ripped to shreds.

“Let me know how the temperature is,” he prompted, watching her carefully as she stepped in.

Marinette couldn’t hold back the contented sigh as the warm water flowed over her, but the relief was cut short by another pang of pain that shot through her hands.  She pressed her hands against the shower wall, but the relief only lasted a few moments before the pain returned making her whimper again.  The worst part was the unpredictability.  Certain things would cause the pain to flare up pretty reliably, but for the most part the pangs were random, happening regardless of what she did.

She startled slightly when She felt Roy’s fingers in her hair, working shampoo into her roots and pulling it through her hair. His moves were smooth and gentle, soothing her and pulling her focus away from the pain.  “You know this is considerably less sexy than I thought this night would go,” he commented.

Marinette barked out a laugh and looked over her shoulder to shoot him a pointed look.  “I’ll have you know, having the person you love wash your hair is one of the top ten sexy tropes out there.  When I tell my friends, they’re all going to swoon.”

His fingers paused for a moment before returning to their ministrations in her hair.  “Less sexy when you’re hurting,” he said quietly.

She moved under the shower stream to rinse her hair.  “Feels less sexy than I was led to believe.  I’ll grant you that,” she agreed quietly.

They finished the shower working together to put conditioner in her hair and wash her off with no words, but a number of concerned, loving looks, unnecessary, lingering touches, and soft, adoring smiles that continued when she stepped out of the shower and he helped her dry off. “Can you get dressed while I get the bandaids for you?”

Marinette hissed as another sudden twinge of pain shot through her palms.  “Yeah, I can work on that.”  Roy kissed her temple and raced out of the room, to get everything prepared for her, careful to step over Nox, who had made it his mission to guard the bathroom door for her.  By the time she’d gotten dressed and made her way to the kid’s bathroom, Roy still wasn’t ready.  When he finally noticed her, he motioned helplessly toward the boxes of stuff he’d set out on the counter.  “Why don’t we have more large bandages?  We really should have more.”

Marinette chuckled and picked up a large non-stick pad and placed it gingerly on one of her palms before holding it out for Roy, who instantly picked up some first aid tape and began taping it on.  “We’re not heroes anymore.  The demand went down,” she reminded him.

Roy harumphed and finished taping her other palm before moving to her ankle.  “Think it’s overkill?” he asked assessing his work.

Marinette looked at the extremely excessive amount of tape, ensuring that there was absolutely no movement in any of the bandages, with a fond smile.  “I think it looks perfect.  Thank you, babe.”  She leaned forward to reward him with a kiss.  “I love you.”

Roy smiled and pulled her closer by her good hip to steal another kiss from her.  “Anything for you, Fire Flower.”  He leaned down to give her another kiss but stopped just short at the sound of a small wail from down the hall.

“Perfect timing,” Marinette giggled.  She pecked his lips and started toward Maggie’s room.

“As always,” he huffed playfully, following her down the hall.  “Do you need me to get her for you?”

Marinette looked down at her hands accusingly.  “Yeah.  I should be able to nurse her just fine, but I don’t think I can change her diaper or reswaddle her properly, not tonight.”

Roy narrowed his eyes at her and wagged a finger at her as he passed her and walked backward into Maggie’s room.  “Suuuure.  Can’t change a diaper but can nurse her just fine.  I know your tricks, Mrs. Harper.  You don’t fool me.”

Marinette rolled her eyes.  “Fooled you enough to marry me,” she scoffed.

“Fooled you enough to marry me,” he corrected.  He picked up Maggie and bounced her a few times, cooing at her quietly.  “Didn’t I, sweetheart?  Yeah, I did.  Daddy did. Daddy.  Can you say Daddy?”

“So, we’re both fools,” Marinette smiled.

“Love makes fools of us all,” he quoted.  He smirked at Marinette’s raised eyebrow.  “Jason says it all the time.  Every time one of his brothers does something stupid for someone they like.”

Marinette hummed as he handed Maggie off to her.  “And how often did he say it to you?”

Roy froze and turned to her slowly with an innocent smile.  “Never, of course.”

Marinette scoffed but her lips pulled up in a smile. “Hear that, Marguerite?  That’s the sound of Daddy lying,” she cooed softly. She looked up at Roy through her lashes. “But we love him anyway.”  She returned her gaze to Maggie.

Roy crouched next to the rocking chair, giving Marinette and Marguerite quick kisses and resting his arm around Marinette. “And I love you.”

Marinette nuzzled into his embrace.  “And that, my darling, is the sound of Daddy telling the truth.”  Roy huffed a laugh and pulled her closer, grateful that she was now safe and secure and in his arms.  He rested his head on hers letting a contented smile settle on his lips enjoying the world being as it should be, if only for a few moments.

#maribat #roynette #TTT2022

[mochegato]

One Last Dance

“Let me get this straight.”  Dick sat down across from Roy, eyes digging into him intently. His chair scraped loudly along the floor causing both men to wince and shoot their eyes to a closed door down the hall.  After a quiet beat, Dick returned his eyes to Roy.  “You kissed her... and then ran away," he said slowly, enunciating each word slowly.

Roy opened his mouth then closed it, quirking his head awkwardly to the side before speaking again.  "I mean... that's not how I'd..." he mumbled.

"... from her," Dick clarified.

"Okay, I didn't run from her.  You know that,” Roy objected sharply.  All uncertainty that had been present in his voice before was replaced with annoyance. He looked down the hall longingly.  "I had something important to do."

Dick followed his gaze, his eyes settling on the closed door again.  “It’s been a few months.  You still haven't told her?” he asked without taking his eyes from the door. It was more of an observation than a question and no accusation in his tone.

“No.”  Roy’s voice was heavy, weighing down his mood and body.

He looked like he hadn’t slept in days and Dick wasn’t sure if that was due to his circumstances or the situation with Marinette. But avoiding her like he had been definitely wasn’t helping the situation.  “Right...” Dick started slowly.

“And it may have been a bit more than kissing…” Roy cut in, grimacing before Dick could react.

Dick looked at him incredulously.  “How much more?”  He asked the question but wasn’t sure if he wanted to know the answer.  The guilty look on Roy’s face was enough to confirm Dick’s suspicions.  “Really?” Dick demanded, the quietness of his voice in no way dampening its harshness. He leaned in closer to make his voice louder, because if he had his choice, he would have yelled.  “And you couldn’t pick up a fucking phone?”

“I didn’t… there was…”  He groaned and ran his hand over his face and into his hair.  “I needed to focus and talking to Marinette would have taken too much of it away.  I didn’t have it to spare.”

“Roy…” Dick growled.

“I know.  Trust me, I know,” he admitted.  “I fucked up. I know I did.  But now I’m ready to tell her everything and then let her decide how she wants to go from there.”

Dick glared at him.  “You are so fucking lucky she didn’t tell me before,” he growled lowly. Roy looked down at the table, unable to meet Dick’s eyes or contradict him.  He knew Dick was right.  If Dick had known, suspected Roy had treated Marinette like he had treated other women in the past, Roy wouldn’t be able to walk or talk for weeks after.

But he would have been wrong.  Marinette wasn’t like any of the other women Roy had known. She was not a casual fling.  She was brilliant.  Amazing.  She was far too good for him and yet she gave him a chance and he’d blown it.  A mistake he was desperate to rectify… if she would let him… if she still wanted after she heard what he had to say.

Dick stared at him intently as if he could read Roy’s mind if he stared hard enough.  He groaned and threw his head back.  “Okay fine.  Let’s do this.  What do you need from me?”

Roy’s eyes shot up to Dick’s in surprise and his face split in a wide grin.  He clapped his hands and rubbed them together, his eyes now shining with hopeful excitement.

><><><><><><><><>< 

Marinette looked around the gala excitedly.  The gala had hardly started and yet she was having one of the best nights of her life.  The room was beautiful.  Every detail was taken into account.  Whoever planned it had thought of everything.  She’d already danced with several people, some of whom were actually fun to dance with.  But the best part had been the clothes.  Most of the people attending had money and clearly had no issue spending it on quality clothes.  Marinette could have spent weeks just studying the clothes.

She didn’t notice Roy approaching her until he had reached out to lay a hand on her shoulder.  Marinette turned to him with a smile until she realized who it was, her smile dropping and her eyes widening in alarm.  She looked around quickly, eyes darting for an escape.

Roy took a step back to give her some space but kept his eyes focused on her.  “I was hoping you would do me the honor of a dance.”  He sent her a charming smile, but it faltered when her panic seemed to increase.  “Just one song.  One last dance and then I’ll disappear,” he promised quietly.

Marinette looked around anxiously before ultimately agreeing.  She could easily decline without causing a scene, but she didn’t want to let him beat her. He wouldn’t beat her.  He didn’t want to be together, that was fine.  She could move on.  It wasn’t the worst thing someone she trusted had done to her.  And it was just one song.  She could last just one song.  She could keep it together for that long.  Just one last dance, like Roy had said.

She delicately laid her hand in his, allowing him to pull her onto the dancefloor and set her hand on his shoulder, while he set his free hand on her hip.  Marinette kept her eyes on his jaw rather than his eyes as they started to move, but her eyes furrowed as it caught on a new, long, freshly healed scar running down his neck and over his collarbone.  “That looks like it hurt.  I don’t remember that one.”

Roy’s hand shot up to his neck.  “Yeah, it’s new.  I got it a few months ago.”

Marinette nodded, doing the mental calculation in her head.  A scar he got just after he left her.  A scar he got right when he ghosted her.

He tried to meet her eyes, but she wouldn’t look up.  “I’ve missed you,” he said quietly.

The comment served its purpose though.  Marinette’s head shot up to finally fully look at him. But whatever response he was hoping for, all she gave was a scoff and immediately looked away again.  They continued to dance for a few more refrains until Marinette couldn’t take the silence anymore.  “You made a promise,” she finally said, voice so quiet Roy had to strain to hear it.

“I did,” he agreed.

Marinette looked back up at his frank admission, having expected him to try to deny it or defend himself.  “And then you broke it,” she continued.

“I did,” he agreed again.

“You said you wouldn't leave.”  Her eyes searched his this time, searching for some explanation or maybe guilt, some kind of remorse or understanding. His eyes looked pained but resolved.

“I did,” he nodded.

“And then you left,” the longer she spoke, the more broken her voice sounded and the more pained Roy looked.

“I... did.”

“And now you're asking me to give you another chance.”  He hadn’t said the words, but they both knew what this was, why he was there.

“I am,” he agreed, standing taller.

“Why should I?” she asked, almost pleading for reason.  Her eyes were desperate as tears built up behind her eyes.

“I won’t do it again,” he vowed.  He stared into her eyes trying to make her see how vehemently he meant it, down to the core of who he was.  The song ended and Marinette started to pull away, but he held her tight. Tight enough to halt her progress but not enough that she couldn’t break free if she wanted to.  “I’m staying right here.  I’m not going anywhere,” he breathed.

“You said that before.  You lied,” she choked out.

“I have a daughter,” he finally blurted out.

Marinette froze, no longer swaying absentmindedly to the music.  She blinked as if the movement might jar the facts into making sense, but it didn’t work.  “What?”

Roy took a deep breath before continuing, pulling her closer like her touch could ground him.  “We discovered her on a mission quite a few months ago.  Her mother is…” he took another deep breath.  If he was going to do this, he’d have to tell the full truth.  “Her mother is Cheshire.”  Marinette gasped but didn’t say anything.  “It was short lived.  We cared about each other, but it was never going to last.  We both knew that, and we didn’t keep in contact.  And when I saw Lian…”

His eyes unfocused as if he was remembering something until he shook his head and focused back on her.  “I got a call that night with information on how to get her. I left so I could take her, keep her safe, and then when I got back, I was focused entirely on her, making sure she was okay.”

“Roy…” Marinette started quietly, not sure what to say next but feeling like she had to say something.

“I didn’t want you to get involved, get sucked into it.  I thought I was protecting you.  But it was wrong.  I was wrong. I never should have cut you out.  It was just too much.  There was too much, and I couldn’t focus on it all and once I’d made the decision, too much was happening to go back on it,” he explained quickly.  Once the words started coming out, he couldn’t stop them.

“I really cared about you, Marinette.  I still do.  I couldn’t believe you gave me a chance, a chance I definitely didn’t deserve, and I never wanted to hurt you.  I’m sorry. And maybe I don’t have the right to ask for another chance, to ask you to date me now that I’m a father.  But I had to try.  I had to…” he looked back up at her desperately.  “I couldn’t just walk away.  I had to try.  You mean too much to me.  You always have.  You make me too happy.  And maybe you never want to see me again, and that’s fair if that’s how you feel.  But if I can salvage this.  If there is something I can do…”

He pulled her against him, delicately wrapping his arms around her waist.  She rested her head on his chest, unsure how to react.  “Just tell me what I have to do.  Is there anything I can do?  I’ll do anything… almost anything.  Anything I can do without hurting Lian.”  His voice was desperate.

Marinette swayed with him for a few more beats before pulling away just enough to look into his eyes.  “You can start by introducing me to Lian,” she whispered.

Roy grinned brilliantly.  Hope flared in his chest for the first time that night.  “Yeah?”

Marinette didn’t return his smile.  “I’m not saying yes to dating… yet.  But I do want to try to be friends again.  And then we can see where the relationship goes.  And friends know each other’s children.”

Roy’s smile faded slightly as she spoke but warmed up again by the time she was done.  “Yeah. I can… yeah.  That sounds fair.  I’d like that.  It’s more than I thought you’d give me.”  He squeezed her closer hesitantly, but strengthened his embrace when she returned it, laughing with gratitude.

“What the...” Wally stepped up behind Dick as he watched the couple dancing and laughing together almost hysterically.

Dick flinched back to look at Wally.  “Hey,” he grinned at him moving to wrap an arm around his waist.

“Did you know about this?” Wally demanded incredulously, motioning aggressively toward Marinette and Roy.

Dick scoffed as he looked over the couple with a bright smile.  “I helped make this happen.”  He looked back to Wally out of the corner of his eye.  “You're late.”

Wally smiled and held up a boutonniere.  “I was buying flowers for you, or rather, a flower.”  Dick grinned as Wally pinned the flower on his lapel.  “Would you do me the honor of a dance?”

Dick’s grin widened.  “Anytime.  Anywhere. Missed you.”

Wally wrapped his arms around Dick’s shoulders. “Missed you more.”  He looked over at Marinette and Roy again and shook his head.  “But maybe not as much as they did.”  He turned back to Dick with a stern look.  “Spill.  I want all the details  What the Hell did I miss?”  Dick laughed but leaned in closer to catch Wally up on all the details he’d missed over the last few days.

#maribat #roynette #TTT2022 #all the prompts #it's happy I swear

[boldlyanxious]

Always here

Tag team tournament

Masterlist

Prompt: I’m staying right here

They were little. They liked to play in the park together. Seeing who could go higher on the swing or chasing each other down the slide and back up.

“Oh, flowers,” Marinette gasped. “Go on ahead. I have to pick some.”

Tim plopped himself onto the grass near them, “I’m staying right here.”

Marinette looked back at him nervously. “You won’t get as much time to play though. You still have to be home at the same time.”

“I like being with you.”

Marinette flushed at that and turned back to pick the flowers quickly. She hadn’t done it quickly enough. When she turned back, Tim wasn’t there anymore. She pulled one of the ribbons out of her hair and used it to tie the flowers together. Instead of heading to the park she decided to head right back home to give them to her maman.

“Wait for me,” Tim shouted.

He rushed ahead of her, panting slightly.

“I thought you left. I was gonna go home.”

“I’ll walk with you. But first,” he paused and focused on the flowers he had found. He wrapped them together and wove them into her hair. “These are for you.”

He gave a crooked smile at his clumsy work. She could feel that they were loose so she was moving carefully until he took her by the hand and ran ahead. She pulled her bundle of flowers close and raced along with him. Her maman would fix her hair again.

—

They were almost teens. Marinette didn’t know what to do. She stood in the back with her darkest shirt and a black skirt. Tim was up front with his father. People were watching him from all over as he walked up to the casket. He didn’t cry but she thought he might want to. When their eyes met, she wished she could take him by the hand and get him out of here. He didn’t want to be a spectacle but most of the people here wanted one.

She waited outside after. She had made him a loaf of bread and put robins on it. She knew how much he liked them. He talked about them a lot. She knew he didn’t mean the birds but it was their little joke. When he walked out, he saw her immediately. He was in her arms as soon as she opened them, sagging against her.

“I’m so sorry, Tim,” Marinette said into his shoulder.

“What am I supposed to do now?” he asked.

“I don’t know.”

She pushed his hair back from his face. He still wasn’t letting his tears fall. His father waited for him to return, shifting to let Tim know that he was getting impatient. She kissed his cheek and squeezed him tight. As they pulled apart she let her hands slide down his arms. She squeezed his shoulders and then his forearms before their hands slid together. She squeezed one last time as he turned away. Their hands slid away slowly until their fingertips fell apart. She rushed back to him and shoved the bread at him before turning away.

Later, she crept up to his window. There had been cars there for hours after the funeral. When she saw his light turn on, she tapped at it. He opened it quietly.

“What are you doing here?”

She climbed through and hugged him again. Finally, he let the tears fall. He had been holding it together but he just couldn’t any more. She put a blanket over him on the bed and crawled in behind him. He reached his hands over and she intertwined their fingers. Sobs racked his body but she stayed right there and played with his hair until he fell asleep.

“I’m staying right here,” she whispered.

—

She had dreaded this day.

Everyone at school was so jealous that she was going to live in France. She only saw that she was leaving her whole life behind. They threw a party for her but she left halfway through to cry. No one even seemed to notice except Tim. He sat with her on the roof outside her window. They didn’t say anything. They had talked about everything in the last few weeks. Now, they were silent. That made the scuffling sounds so much louder when Tim shifted back and forth. She grabbed his arm, worried that he would fall but he settled back a moment later, pulling his fist from his pocket.

She just stared when he opened his hand to a palm full of pebbles. They weren’t even pretty rocks. He picked up one and handed it to her and then he selected one and threw it. There was not a target and it was dark enough that they couldn’t see where it went after it was thrown. Still, they went through the whole pile and tossed the tiny rocks into the darkness. It didn’t take long. Tim shifted again and laid back onto the roof. Marinette laid beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.

He took her hand and held it as she let the tears fall. He wiped them away after they climbed back through the window. He pulled her into a tight hug for a few minutes before they were ready to head back to the party. When they pulled apart, he took her hand.

The flight was so early the next morning. Her parents were in a frenzy, making sure everything was ready. Marinette just sat and waited. When they went outside, Tim was there. Her parents watched nervously.

“Quickly, Marinette,” her papa said, before getting in the car.

Tim put flowers in her hair and then took her hand.

“I’m staying right here,” he whispered.

Marinette bit her lip but he reached up and pulled it out of her teeth. She looked back at his eyes as he looked at her. Her breath stopped as he leaned in. It was so gentle. She could feel his breath on her lips before his lips touched hers. She pushed back against him, wishing she could stay there forever.

He pulled back slowly, opening his eyes to see her open hers again. He lifted his hands to her neck and fumbled while putting a necklace on her. She looked down to see it was a robin with a ladybug. The car made a noise as her papa shifted it into drive. She pulled away from him reluctantly and got into the car. She turned her neck as far as it would go and watched him until they turned the corner. He stood and watched without leaving.

—

It had been years. They had lost contact long ago. It was too hard to manage international calls and the letters just faded. He had gotten busier when he became Robin but he hadn’t forgotten her. He was in Paris and the first thing he wanted to do there was go visit the patisserie that had caused her parents to move back to Paris. Tom had needed to be closer to family and the location had been too good to pass up. Tim could see that it was a good business choice for them as the place had a line when he arrived.

He walked up to the building but when he got to the door, he felt nervous. He stopped and turned away. But approaching from the other direction, he saw her. She was messing with the strap on her bag and listening to something a friend was talking about while showing her phone. He stopped to stare. He felt transported through time. Her friend stopped suddenly and he realized he was staring. She looked up as her friend pulled her by the shoulder to get her to move away.

“Marinette?” he said.

It came out sounding like a question but he knew it was her for certain. He suddenly worried that she wouldn’t remember him. Her eyes met his and he felt relief at the recognition.

“Tim!”

She bounded over to him and he was ready for her to jump into his arms in a hug but she stopped herself at the last second. He had lifted his arms to catch her but instead he reached for her hand. It was like an awkward handshake. He wanted to take her in his arms and spin her around because he was so happy to see her but he held back and followed her lead. Her friend was watching and waiting for an explanation. She turned away from him and spoke to her friend. He could hear their loud whispered conversation.

“That is Tim?” her friend said, eying him.

Marinette shushed her before responding. “Later. Can we do the homework tomorrow instead?”

“Oh yes. Abandon me, but I expect details,” she leaned close to Marinette’s ear but that didn’t stop Tim from being able to hear. “If they are the right details I’ll just let you copy mine.”

The other girl looked him up and down before winking and turning away. Marinette turned back looking a bit sheepish.

“Do you want to go somewhere?” he asked.

She nodded, “I’ll just let my parents know.” She turned to head inside. “They would probably be happy to see you. Maybe you can come for dinner.”

He nodded back and smiled.

It was a blissful 3 days. He wished it was longer. But they found each other again and now they could stay in touch easier since they were both online. He took care of what he needed while she was in school and then they were together most of her days off. When it was time for him to head to the plane he felt like it was a repeat of their last time before she moved. They walked along the Seine holding hands before they paused where the car was to take him away. Tears were forming in her eyes but she pulled out a bracelet she had made. It was tiny beads woven together with red and black. Attached was a charm with a robin and a ladybug, very similar to the one he had given her.

He was still looking down at it when she pulled his face to hers. She kissed him and sank her fingers into his hair. He returned the kiss enthusiastically, pulling her against him. She started to pull back but he followed, deepening the kiss so she stayed. They had to stop to catch their breath but remained close, ignoring the car that had arrived.

They turned when the driver cleared his throat. Tim looked back but then kissed her again, softly before he turned away.

“I’m staying right here,” she said before he got in.

He turned to watch her as the car pulled away. He knew that the tears she had held back were likely running down her cheeks. He wanted nothing more than to turn back and brush them away.

—

When Marinette got off the plane she dropped everything and ran at Tim. He caught her up in his arms and spun her around. The people around them grumbled and gave them a wide berth so they wouldn’t be hit. He didn’t even let her get her feet back under her before he moved to kiss her. She was dizzy from the plane and then the spinning so she draped her arms over his neck and held on, deciding if she couldn’t get her feet under her that Tim would keep her upright. When they finally pulled back, there was an older man waiting there with her dropped bags.

Tim took her hand and guided her through the airport and out to the car. He told her all about the family that had taken him in since his father’s death. She was staying there until the dorms opened in a few days so she would have a chance to meet everyone.

She couldn’t wipe the grin off her face at being with Tim again. Everytime she looked at him he was grinning too. His siblings tried to pick on him for it but he never noticed. Everything felt so right when they were together.

When it was time for her to leave the manor it wasn’t sad as it had been the last times they had parted. They would be so close. Tim met her at the door when she was leaving and kissed her. They would be seeing each other again tonight for dinner.

“I’ll be staying right here,” he said.

“I won’t go far.” She leaned over and kissed him again before she left.

—

Tim nearly fell over when she entered. Kon must have realized because he could feel something creep against his back and keep him upright. He really was the best man for the job. He had extended his shield just enough to push against Tim when he needed it. Luckily he would understand the distraction keeping him from turning to smile or thank him.

This definitely wasn’t the time for it. All his focus was on who was approaching. She was so incredibly beautiful but only looking at him. He couldn’t even pull his eyes away to see the dress she had spent countless hours laboring over. Her eyes were locked on his and he was lost.

His fiance. No, his wife.

He reached out for her hands without looking. Her hand met his. He smiled when he saw the flowers woven into her hair. They looked very much like the first ones he had put in her hair. How could his heart still beat so fast when he saw her? He had known her most of his life. She was his life. He repeated the words back after the officiant. They seemed so much more meaningful, standing here, looking in her eyes.

Her voice was clear when she repeated the words as well. He had made sure to memorize what he wanted to say but he still forgot it all. She still looked so moved by everything he said to let her know how much he loved her. Her words did the same for him. The officiant made the proclamation and he got to see her first smile as his wife directed at him. He brushed his thumb against her lip and leaned down to kiss her, just as he had done for their first kiss all those years ago.

“I’m staying right here,” he whispered.

Taglist

@theymakeupfairies | @emjrabbitwolf | @vixen-uchiha | @trythisagainlove | @trippingovermyfeet | @tbehartoo | @izanae | @kittenmywaythrulife | @folk-ever-lore | @jayjayspixiepop | @achaoticmess1

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#ttt2022 #java junkies #boldlyanxious #timari #childhood friends #timinette #maribat

[boldlyanxious]

Been here all along

Part of tag team tournament

My masterlist

Marinette rolled her eyes and Jason shoved her when he saw.

“You worry too much,” she said.

“This is Gotham and I know you have much too low of a level of self preservation,” he responded, eying her skeptically. “Your good luck won’t always protect you.”

“I’m not just relying on good,” she paused as a man, who she guessed was Jason’s roommate Roy walked out, still pulling a shirt over his head. “luck.”

The last word came out slowly. She felt Jason turning to look at her but she was just watching his friend. He was clearly surprised to see her, in a good way. He looked over at Jason who was pulling Marinette back by her flowered dress. Roy turned away and grabbed for his keys. He took a couple tries to grasp the door knob before turning to take one last look at Marinette and then Jason, glaring disapprovingly.

“I was just on my way to buy flowers for you,” Roy said.

Marinette winked at him and he turned and walked into the door before guiltily looking at Jason again.

“You are buying me flowers?” Jason asked. “You really shouldn’t, Roy. No one here needs flowers.”

His last words were almost a low growl. The threat in them was obvious. Roy rushed away and Marinette was disappointed that she had to leave before he returned. She knew he was staying away to avoid her. Jason knew it too and eventually he threw her out with the excuse that she would need to be home before dark. It was noon.

---

It was weeks of intentionally showing up at Jason’s apartment unannounced before she managed to see Roy again. He was coming home and she was sitting on the counter drinking coffee while Jason was finishing getting ready.

“Well, hello,” Marinette greeted.

He froze in place and looked around for Jason. She thought he might be considering running back out the door. Her eyes danced as she smiled while sipping her coffee. He just stayed in place but didn’t respond. Marinette set down the cup and walked up to him.

“I never did get your name,” she whispered.

“Marinette,” he said.

It wasn’t a statement or quite a question. He was trying to warn her away but he didn’t want to tell her to stop.

“Hmmm, that's my name too.” she reached out and put her hand on his chest, leaning close to him. “I do like to hear you say it though.”

“Sorry. I’m Roy,” he said, backing away from her.

“That you are. Did you ever get those flowers?”

Roy looked over as a door opened and Jason stepped out. He looked between the 2 and gave her a look. She shrugged and turned away.

“Are you ready now?”

“I am definitely ready to have you out of my apartment,” Jason said.

He turned her away and pushed her towards the door. She craned her neck around so she could still see Roy.

“It doesn’t have to be just us. Roy could come too if he is hungry, or even just thir–”

Jason’s hand covered her mouth and she was barely still on her feet as he pushed her through the door. He closed it firmly and locked it behind him. They were nearly at his car before he removed his hand from her mouth.

“That was really unnecessary. There is no need to be rude.”

“Stop hitting on my roommate. You’re making him uncomfortable.”

“Oh come on. I’m sure I could find a way to make him comfortable. You not glaring at him would be a good start.”

“No. Find someone else.”

“You warn me about Gothamites all the time. Now you think I should date one?”

“No. You should probably stay single forever.”

He tried to end the conversation by getting in the car but she wasn't done yet.

“Then no one would ever call you Uncle Jason.”

“Jeez, are you saying you want to have kids with Roy?”

“How would I know that if you won’t even let me have a conversation with him?” she asked then added. “They would be really cute kids though.”

---

Jason had relaxed a little bit after that conversation. He conceded that they could say least be friends but he still didn’t want her dating Roy. His solution was to stop giving dirty looks whenever the 2 were in the same place, mostly.

Marinette wasn’t sure Roy actually qualified as a friend, but they were definitely friendly. Today was the first time they were actually alone and she was fairly certain that Jason had not meant for that to be the case. He had messed up when making cake for Roy’s birthday. He called Marinette in a panic, leaving his spare key under the mat so she could get in and start baking before he returned with the rest of the things she needed to make his favorite cake. She had brought what she had and texted Jason a list of additional things to pick up.

“You’re back sooner than I expec-” she had a long pause when she saw Roy instead of Jason, “-ted.”

She thought it was Jason coming in so she didn’t even think about how she looked. She was crouched over cleaning up the eggs she had knocked off the counter when there was a loud thump behind her. She looked back expecting Jason to be back with the supplies sooner than she expected but instead it was Roy. She wasn't sure he was quite immune to the display she had just given while she was bent over.

Then she remembered she was still in her pajamas.

He wasn’t supposed to be home until after she had showered and changed into what she was wearing to the party later. Her hair was uncombed and just pulled up out of the way. She just got egg all over her to go with the flour she had dumped earlier. Luckily she hadn’t started the frosting or she would probably have it smeared across her cheek.

He leaned against the fridge and smirked at her. She wasn’t sure how to take it. He would never flirt back with her but she knew he had a sense of humor. She just never saw it directed towards her. He was always oddly formal.

"Looks like we finally got the kitchen decorated."

“I know it's dirty, but I swear I’ll clean it up. I just dropped some things.”

She looked around at the mess. Jason typically kept the kitchen pristine. He was even annoyingly organized and mess free even when he cooked. He picked on her all the time for it. That was fine. He was basically her brother. But now she was standing in front of her crush and she looked a mess after making a mess.

"Dirty can be fun," he said in a soft voice.

Whatever her response was going to be was cut off when the door opened and Jason walked in with the bags. Roy disappeared as soon as the lock made a noise and Marinette was left trying to remember where she was in the recipe. She turned back to the bowl only to remember that she had egg all over her that needed to be washed off.

Jason looked around confused at the mess and the sound of a door closing within the apartment.

“Your roommate returned,” she said quietly.

Jason tilted his head, trying to get her to elaborate but she just turned back to what he was doing. She didn’t even pay attention when he stalked off to Roy’s room instead of his own to see what he made her sad.

---

The kitchen was clean and the cupcakes were a big hit. Marinette had cleaned herself and successfully avoided Roy the rest of the day. She hadn’t actually wanted to avoid him completely. She was pretty sure it was him who was avoiding her. She got proof when she saw him later. The party was going strong and he had just refilled his drink and was getting a cupcake when he looked up and their eyes met. Nothing else in the room mattered to her at that moment except the way he was watching her. She took a step in his direction but that is when everything changed. He glanced away and then darted off.

Jason was glaring at the spot he had been standing when she had looked back.

She huffed at him and went to get her own drink. She wished there were stronger drinks here but since Roy didn’t drink there was no alcohol here and no need to have it at his party. Probably for the best. She was known for being a bit more forward when she was drinking. She might demand to know what Roy was thinking when he seemed to be flirting with her earlier. She had been very clear about her thoughts on him but he had always ignored it. But he had definitely seemed as interested earlier today as he had been when they first met.

Instead she walked around the room, making conversation with everyone else while keeping an eye on Roy. She decided that was a bad idea when he was laughing with some other girl she didn’t know. His hand was on her arm and she was laughing along with him.

At least he would have a good birthday.

Dejected, she headed towards Jason’s room. She wasn’t really feeling in the mood to party anymore. She walked over to the bookshelf to find something to distract her. There was movement behind her but she didn’t turn. She didn’t want to listen to Jason tell her how she could find someone else. She couldn’t seem to get that first meeting out of her head. Maybe it was that she hadn’t met anyone more interesting since moving here.

She turned suddenly when Roy spoke.

“Are you hiding in here?” he asked.

“I don’t think I’ve been hiding.”

She turned back to the books, not wanting him to see how she was feeling. She would have to get over him eventually. She might as well let it be by knowing he was with someone else.

“But you are now.”

She turned back to face him, no longer caring that he might be able she wanted to cry.

“Did you get what you wanted for your birthday?”

He turned back to look at her. He reached out and brushed his fingers down the side of her face. The slight touch made her skin tingle and she closed her eyes, just for a moment.

“We can’t always get what we want.”

He started to go but she grabbed his shirt to stop him. His arms went around her and she pushed herself against him. He met her halfway, covering her mouth with his. Her back pushed into the bookshelf but she didn’t even notice. She was lost in the feeling of his lips against hers. She pushed back against him as he deepened the kiss. He sat down on the bed and she climbed into his lap. Everything was perfect until he leaned back.

He pulled back from her and looked around as if he just now remembered it wasn’t his room. He stood up suddenly. He moved her to the bed and left the room. By the time Marinette had gotten up to follow him, he was already in his room. She barely caught a glimpse of him before his door shut and she heard the lock click.

She stopped in the bathroom to make sure there was no evidence of their kiss or her mood so she moved back through the party unnoticed before she left. Even Jason couldn’t see how she was really feeling at that moment.

---

Weeks had gone by and Jason definitely thought she was acting weird but she was able to brush it off with how busy she was at the moment. She deflected his concern with how tired or short on time she was until he insisted she take a break for a movie night. By insisting, she meant he basically kidnapped her from her apartment and removed her from the temptation to work or stay up later.

They ordered way too much food and Jason put on a movie. It was halfway through when Roy came home. He saw all the food out and helped himself before joining Jason in the living room. Marinette didn’t think he was able to see her before he sat down. Jason’s frame was blocking hers and it was dark.

He looked rather uncomfortable but magically Jason didn’t notice. It wasn’t long later before Marinette realized Jason was asleep. She wasn’t sure if he had been asleep when Roy had entered or not. But she thought that Roy may have noticed at the same time because he sat back and visibly relaxed.

Of course, what Jason thought was too important. Even if it meant making out with her in secret and running off. Marinette was hurt but the mere possibility of Jason being upset was what mattered.

She was surprised that she was suddenly angry about it. She knew it bothered her but she had thought she was over it after having not seen him since his birthday. Clearly that wasn’t the case. She went into the bathroom to cool off. She didn’t want to yell at Roy and risk waking Jason up. That would be bad no matter the circumstances. Jason did not wake happy.

Roy was in the hallway when she stepped back out. The movie was still playing a happy song that did not go with the current mood.

“Careful,” Marinette warned. “If you get too close, I might kiss you again.”

“You promise?” he quipped.

She knew he didn’t mean it but she was surprised when tears were suddenly burning her eyes. It was always that way when she was angry. She got heated and her eyes responded. She was grateful for the darkness that gave her the cover to blink them away.

“Don’t toy with me. It isn’t cute.”

“It’s a complicated situation,” he said.

“Because you don’t want to kiss me.”

“Because I do want to. It’s just that Jason–”

She raised her hand and cut him off. “That’s enough of that. Go kiss Jason then.”

She pushed past him but he snaked an arm around her to stop her. Her heart was beating fast and she had to stop herself from sinking against his chest.

“We just have to ease Jason into the idea.”

She lifted his arm away from her and stepped away. She picked up her keys and purse and headed for the door. Roy followed her and tried to stop her.

“It’s late. You can just stay here or I can drive you.”

“Goodbye Roy.”

She turned and walked out the door but it took much longer than the trip home for her to get calm again.

---

It was a bad idea.

Jason was out of town and she was going out to a Jagged Stone after party. But before the concert, she had stopped by to see Roy. She looked good. She didn’t worry about that at all. She was dressed for the concert. He had definitely noticed but still when she invited him to come with them, he said no.

So she had changed.

Jason might kill her for the outfit but he wasn't there to stop her. It was definitely a way more noticeable choice, mostly because there was way less of it to notice.

She didn’t tell Roy about the change at all. But Luka and Alya took over.

She knew that Luka had taken a picture of her in the outfit. He even listened to Alya and sent it to Roy. Marinette shrugged.

“I’m not involved with this,” Marinette said. “He won’t care enough to change his mind."

They showed her the phone after. The message clearly went from sent to seen.

Bubbles showed up that Roy was typing but then they disappeared. She watched for another moment but they didn’t come back so she took the phone away and dropped it into her bag.

"I'm getting over him tonight," she promised.

She ran out to join Jagged for a dance and it seemed like everyone there was dancing. She spent the evening trying not to think about Roy so she made sure to dance with plenty of other people if nothing else, to remind herself that she had options. She was pulling herself from another one hours later when Alya came up to her in a panic.

“In my defense, I was left unsupervised,” Alya said.

“That doesn’t sound good. What did you do?”

“I’ll supervise you,” the guy she had been dancing with said, slinging an arm around her shoulder as well as Alya’s and pulling them close. “I can handle supervising both of you.”

“Is that my phone?” Marinette asked.

“Oh, is that the problem?” Alya asked. “That explains a lot.”

She nearly fumbled the phone as Alya shoved it at her. That is when she realized that there was a video call with Roy.

“Roy? Did you call me?” Marinette asked.

“Who is that guy?” the other guy asked.

Marinette shoved the guy off and looked around for someplace where she could hear Roy better.

“Marinette, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. What’s going on?” Roy moved and she could see lights behind him and the background was shifting. “Are you driving?”

“I’m almost there. I can take you home.”

“You want me to go home with you? This is all so sudden,” she said.

“Not home with me,” he shouted over the noise. “You just need to be home.”

“Sorry Roy, don’t bother. I’m not going home tonight. I’m still picking who I’m leaving with.”

She hung up her phone and shoved it back in her bag. She looked around for Alya. She spotted her across the room moving away quickly. Before she could chase after her Luka intervened, dragging her to the dance floor.

“Out of the way, Luka. I need to go kill Alya.”

Luka spun her around and wrapped his arms around her stomach holding her back against his chest and swaying.

“Be a lover, not a fighter, Nette.”

“You have no idea what she did though.”

“Mmhmm. That would be true if I weren't standing right beside her the whole time.”

Marinette shoved against him to break away. “You too? Why?”

Luka pointed behind her where a very determined Roy was pushing past people to get to her. She would have cowered against Luka if he hadn’t evaporated at the sight of the other man.

“Get your things,” Roy said. “We are leaving.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m having fun.”

“I have seen your fun. You are leaving if I have to drag you out of here.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

Marinette stood facing him. There was a crowd gathering to watch but making it a dare seemed to cement it in Roy’s mind. He reached over lightning fast and picked her up. He put her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Marinette was left using one hand to hold her skirt down while she used the other fist to uselessly hit Roy on the back. He didn’t seem to notice at all.

Ayla appeared to have her bag ready but she handed it to Roy and ran off again without helping her.

"You can thank me later," Alya shouted back, before she headed back inside.

"Put me down now!"

Marinette pulled her dress back down as he put her back on her feet. She crossed her arms and was ready to unleash on him. But before she said anything. He leaned down and kissed her. Nothing touched but their lips. When she didn’t immediately respond he pulled back. Still remaining with his lips a breath away from hers he whispered.

“I’m sorry. I could ignore what I wanted at every time even knowing that it hurt you. But I can’t watch you with someone else.”

“What about Jason? I thought he told you no.”

“I will stop and get him flowers on the way home.”

She pushed forward until their lips met again for a brief kiss before he took her have and walked her to his car.

Taglist

@theymakeupfairies | @emjrabbitwolf | @vixen-uchiha | @trythisagainlove | @trippingovermyfeet | @tbehartoo | @izanae | @kittenmywaythrulife | @folk-ever-lore | @jayjayspixiepop | @achaoticmess1

@adrestar | @zynna | @jeminiikrystal

#ttt2022 #Roynette #mariroy #sibling jasonette dynamic #boldlyanxious

[boldlyanxious]

admiratrice

Masterlist

Marinette had been hit with inspiration the last few days and her work space was definitely showing it. She made her way back to the kitchenette and opened the fridge. She closed it almost immediately because it had no more food. She turned instead to the coffee maker. The light was lit to say the coffee was made but the little bit she had left there had long since congealed into sludge in the bottom of the carafe. She checked the time, 4:30 am. She wasn’t sure if she had stayed up all night last night or if she had continued for 2 nights without sleep. She tried to count back the hours but that wasn’t helping. Instead she tried to remember the number of times she had made a fresh pot of coffee but she couldn’t think clearly.

She filled a cup with water to get something in her and looked through the cupboard coming up with a small bag of pretzels. She definitely needed to sleep but she hadn’t wanted to stop what she was working on. She should probably head home and refresh. She cleaned up her work space and made some notes. It always worked better if she came back to a space that had been reset from her previous bout of inspiration, no matter how long she had worked or how tired she was when she stopped. It did take awhile, the sky was just starting to show signs of daylight when she stepped out the door.

Before heading to bed she pulled some leftovers from her fridge, that hopefully hadn’t been there too long, and then collapsed into bed. The sun was just now rising but she would have to wait to start her day, whatever day it was.

—

Her alarm woke her far sooner than she would have liked. By the light shining through the window she could tell that it was past midday but she didn’t understand why the alarm was going off. She fumbled around for her phone and made the sound stop. She pushed herself away from the pillows and rolled off the bed, catching herself on her feet before she landed in a heap. She wanted nothing more than to lay back and rest for another few minutes but her history had shown her that it was a trap that she was not equipped to escape from. Her alarm probably meant that she had an appointment she couldn’t miss so going back to sleep was not an option.

The coffee maker was her first stop and then directly to the shower while it brewed, before she even checked her calendar to learn why she had to wake herself up. After pouring her first cup of coffee and taking a sip, she looked at her phone to find out why she had dragged herself from the comfort of her bed. She had a client meeting soon. Typically they would be in her workspace but it was a large group and they had preferred to have her come to them. She didn’t have any time to mess around today. Luckily she had her planning sketch book here so she wouldn’t have to go by the shop before the meeting.

She got ready quickly, choosing an outfit that was a bit fancier than her typical client meeting. She wanted to make a good impression and if her outfit looked sophisticated then they were less likely to look for signs of her being overly tired. She grabbed her keys and her bag and headed out the door. Just in time, the car they had sent for her was just pulling up outside.

When she opened the door, something fell to the ground. She leaned down. There were pink calla lilies wrapped in florist paper. She didn’t see a note but she wasn’t involved with anyone so she thought it must have been a mistake. She set them on the table by the door so they wouldn’t wilt in the heat and headed toward the car.

—

There was so much going on that Marinette had to focus hard to keep her work straight. Luckily the family butler was dedicated to guest care and had offered her coffee. She never saw the bottom of the cup so she never knew how much she drank. Everytime she returned to it between taking measurements and preferences, the mug was full and piping hot. She would probably be jittery later after her small breakfast with not nearly enough sleep. She had figured out that she had definitely been up for 2 full nights before what had felt like a short nap this morning.

By the time she had met with all those she would be designing for it had been nearly 3 hours. She took measurements and noted colors and styles, even making a fairly basic sketch for everyone. She was trying to remember what they had worn to the charity event she had attended recently. She hadn’t known many people but maybe that is how they found her. She had done a few pieces for well-known clients but it was pretty few and far between with the exception of the ones she knew from France as a teen. But creating for the Wayne family for an event they would be attending that would have a televised red carpet entrance was huge.

It was unheard of for them to go with such a small designer for something like this.

They had her sign a nondisclosure agreement. It looked pretty standard, she had signed them in the past. No one wanted their outfit to be revealed before they were wearing it on the red carpet. She requested that they also keep quiet about her involvement for now. She wouldn’t have as much time to take on more work and she had some concerns about sabotage of her work or business if someone felt like they should have gotten the commissions.

She relaxed heavily against the seat when she finally got back to the car. Hopefully she would be able to go directly to bed and get inspiration in the morning.

“You wished to go home now or is there somewhere else I should take you?” Alfred asked.

“Actually, if it isn’t too much trouble would you be able to stop for food. I will come up with a place before we get there and just get home from there,” she responded.

“Nonsense Mlle Dupain Cheng. You will eat here. Dinner is already prepared.”

“That really isn’t necessary,” Marinette said.

Alfred stood and walked back to her door and opened it before responding. “I really can not in good conscience send a guest away hungry when I have just prepared more than enough.”

—

Dinner had been loud and Marinette felt very awkward the whole time. She was too tired to interact well and she had never had dinner with clients in their home without having known them pretty well but this was something else. She was surprised that there wasn’t a food fight. They all talked over each other, told jokes and made dares. At one point two of them had jumped up at the same time and she thought for certain there was going to be a fight but Alfred had cleared his throat and they sat back down. Bruce had looked away as they mimed being polite and putting their napkins in their laps and sipping their drinks.

“So Marinette, you are originally from France?” Bruce asked.

“Yes, I grew up in Paris. I have been living here for 4 years,” she responded.

“What brought you here?” Dick asked.

“A program from fashion school. It was offered to all those who were doing a joint fashion and business program. I applied and moved here when I was accepted,” she said.

“You didn’t want to go back to France?” Bruce asked.

“Sometimes I do. It is very different here. But mostly I like living here.”

She avoided mentioning any of the awkwardness with some of the fashion “greats” in Paris. Audrey Bourgeois had never gotten over her refusal to go to New York with her and remembered that she had sassed her about her treatment of Chloe. She had a similar issue with Gabriel when she did her internship there. The work was fine and she managed well. Both of them had been impressed with her but Gabriel had chewed her out for a mistake he had found on an incomplete garment. Marinette had stood up to him and said that it was not her mistake and that she was not his son so he couldn’t speak to her that way.

The rest of the internship had been very awkward and she had gotten the acceptance to the program in Gotham by then. He had offered her a position anyway but it was not a good contract so she didn’t accept. So he got angry and told her to leave and never darken his door again. She found that only too easy. Last time she had talked to Adrien he had told her that his father had been a bit nicer to him. He thought it was because of what Marinette had said or possibly that it had been overheard and more people were interested in the story of what had made top model Adrien Agreste leave the brand to become a physics teacher.

��

Marinette had forgotten all about the flowers until she got home.

The light was still off so she had just put her purse on the table when she came in the door. She fumbled around for the switch when it fell over. She bent down to pick up the mess, wishing she had cleaned the junk out of her purse more recently. Instead of shoving it all back in, she sat on the floor and removed the rest of the things to decide what actually needed to stay there. It didn’t actually take very long. She was embarrassed she had put it off doing such a simple task so long. There was just one little envelope she didn’t recognize.

She stood up and opened the small envelope while she dropped her bag back in its spot.

The card read:

> The pink should match the lace that was on your dress that night

She didn’t know what that could mean. It didn’t sound threatening. She jumped as her bag fell down again. Nothing fell out because she had zipped it closed this time but it was what she needed to look at the table and remember the flowers from this morning.

She put it together that the card must have fallen off the flowers. The pink was the same color as the lace from her dress at the charity event recently. She looked back at the card but it wasn’t signed. Someone had seen her and sent her flowers. She tried to think back to the people she had met that night.

She had danced with several men, but none of them really stood out to her as interesting or interested. She had not really been the target audience for the charity. She had gone to support Jagged since he was unable to attend. He didn’t want his seat to be empty but Penny had gone into labor early so they were understandably busy. It had worked well with a bit of interest in her dress design so she could talk about herself and also she was able to drop off a check for Jagged to support the chosen charity.

She moved to put the flowers in water. She didn’t have to know who they were from or be in love with the person to appreciate how pretty they were. Her apartment had been woefully neglected recently so the color would look nice.

—

Marinette had nearly put the gift of flowers out of her head. It had been a couple weeks and she had long since removed them after they faded. They had not lasted long after sitting all day without water. The card had ended up in a kitchen drawer when Marinette was trying to clean. She planned to organize it later but she had desperately needed to scrub everything when she woke up the next day. So the card was moved and not seen again. When the flowers faded so had the memory of the random gift.

She was much more focused on her work. She had gotten a lot more business after the charity event and she really hated to turn away or delay new clients. It was bad for business because so few would return if she couldn’t schedule work for them. With a large name, it was a show of desirability to turn away most clients and only take a select few orders. But while building a business from the ground without the name recognition, especially for those who didn’t know her work with musicians, it was necessary to maintain a high interest level with a lot of new clients..

She was probably straining herself to make sure she could please everyone. She tried to carefully plan so she wouldn’t miss anything. She couldn’t get sucked into another design frenzy unless it was for planned commissions. Hopefully that large order for The Wayne family. Completing that was half of her work and would hopefully get her a lot of attention so she didn’t have to work quite so hard to get and maintain clientele. It was so much easier to make things for people she already knew.

She could practically design for Jagged in her sleep.

That was probably a bad plan to think about right now. She had woken up and immediately started designing baby rocker gear. She really wanted to make it but it would be better to wait until she wouldn’t outgrow it in a week. She should probably get back over there soon and hold the baby Dahlia again. She made herself a note to stop by after she finished her work. She could bring them dinner and maybe help out a bit so Penny could rest.

She ended up not staying too late. It was clear what they really needed was for her to tell them to go to bed early. Jagged had finished his last tour well before the birth and he had no work to go to for a while so he could take care of Penny as needed. Marinette could tell they were only staying up for her benefit but once she assured them that she would still think that they were rockin’ and that she was headed home to bed herself they all said goodnight and Marinette left.

There was a small package by her door when she got home.

Once again, it was not marked with who sent it. The card was simple.The front said:

> I’ve got designs on you

The U was taking up half the front and had several patterned designs filling the bubble letter. She opened the inside and the handwritten message said

> I didn’t get a chance to talk to you then. I wish I had

It was cute, but a bit worrying. She dug out the first card. It was the same handwriting, as far as she could tell. But that had been a couple weeks ago. She didn’t know if the sender had seen her since and was just specifying the event or if it meant that night only. She had met and talked to so many people but there were certainly ones she had not talked to at the busy event. She tried to calm herself with the idea that was what it meant rather than someone watching her. Someone who clearly knew where she lived.

—

She had definitely pushed herself but she was happy with her work. Penny had read between the lines and realized that Marinette was probably not getting enough sleep or eating properly and started checking up on her. But this week little Dahlia had been going through a growth spurt so Penny and Jagged were too busy and tired to keep mother henning. Jagged had started going back to the studio at just the wrong time so Marinette knew that they were both just as tired as she was. But at least the big order was ready to try on so she could make any necessary adjustments before the finishing touches.

This time, they had all decided to come to her. They were all coming at once which worried her a bit. She did not have a large studio and she worried that it would be too cramped. But honestly it was better than trying to get everything ready to transport along with any supplies she would need and then bring it all back and put it away after. It would be much easier to keep organized with any notes if she just did it one at a time. Perhaps 2 at a time if she could get a second changing area set up in the space. That would cut the time needed nearly in half.

She decided that was best and quickly set to work setting it up. She heard the bell when they entered and rushed to get down. She nearly stumbled getting off her wobbly step stool. But gentle hands caught her and kept her upright. She looked up at Cass and wondered how she had gotten there so fast after the bell on the door rang. She could hear all the others still coming in. She smiled and whispered a thank you, not trusting herself to say anything else as the other woman smiled back silently.

Their eyes stayed on each other’s and Marinette had to tear her eyes away when Mr Wayne started speaking. He was trying to suggest ways to manage it but Marinette cut him off as nicely as she could when the others started breaking in to suggest other methods. She explained that she had set up more space but that would require them to set up in 2 groups which she had already divided. Once they had a plan to follow she tried to manage as best as she could, rushing back and forth measuring and making notes. She put the outfits away as she went, labeling and making notes on her tablet so she wouldn’t get confused later.

She was relieved when they were finishing up and decided most of them should go grab a table while waiting on Bruce and Cass to finish. Bruce was thanking her and they made an appointment for the final fitting before he headed out the door. She carefully laid his suit in the bag and was hanging it. Cass was standing behind her when she turned around. Once again she hadn’t made a sound and Marinette was startled that she was there.

“Pretty,” Cass said, as she looked up from smoothing her dress.

Marinette had to stop herself from blushing. She was clearly talking about the design even though she had looked right at her.

“It looks really nice on you,” she gestured to the curtained area. “We can do the measuring behind the curtain if that is more comfortable.”

With a nod they stepped into the makeshift changing area and Marinette checked the fit.

It was very quiet after all the others had left. Cass remained silent and always moved just before she would have said what she needed to see. They managed to do the fitting in complete silence. Even their movements barely made a sound. She wondered if Cass was more accustomed to fittings than the others. They had all needed prompts for movement so Marinette could check all the angles.

She had barely stepped outside the curtain and pulled up her previous notes on the design when Cass was behind her. She kept her voice quiet when confirming the final design. WIth a smile and a nod as confirmation, Marinette made her notes and put the outfit away. The shop was empty when she finished and she went to lock it. Even the small movement made the bell jingle but she had not heard it when Cass had left.

—

Marinette had taken a morning to relax. She brought home no work. She finished all her cleaning last night and was just sitting on the couch playing video games when there was a knock at the door. She checked the time. She still had an hour before She was supposed to join Jagged, Penny and Dahlia out for lunch. Looking down at her pajamas, she paused. When there was another knock she shrugged and headed to open it. She didn’t know the man who was there.

“Hello, are you Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the designer?” he asked.

He had a clipboard with him and he had glanced down at it, presumably to get her name right. He had stretched it out to focus on the pronunciation while he read it.

“I am,” she said cautiously, offering no further information.

“I have a package here for you. A custom order that was supposed to go to your studio today. When I called to say the shop was closed, I was given your home address.”

“I didn’t order anything.”

“It’s all paid for. I just need you to sign that you received it. There is a card with it.”

Marinette signed and took the small package from him. It was a beautiful piece. It would weave into her hair and when in place it would display her signature almond blossoms that she used for her business. She couldn’t imagine who had sent it. She looked around for the card. It was under the wrapping in the box. She opened the envelope and read the message.

> Your hair was falling down. It would have been too forward to push it away from your face for you

The handwriting was the same as the other 2 cards. There was no way that someone would be so attached to her from the charity event that they would still be sending random gifts, especially since they said they didn’t even talk.. She didn’t know what to think about it. She remembered that she had part of her hair loose at the charity event, but also several times since then. It was at an awkward stage that would often slip down. She didn’t want to think about the gift right now or whomever might have sent it. But she was up so she put it in her hall closet and went to get ready. Maybe she would tell Jagged and Penny about the notes and gifts. She hated to worry them when they had a baby to worry about now but they could talk her down if she was just being overly concerned about it.

—

Her week had been so busy that she barely had time to eat. Her lunch was delivered late and the Waynes were early so it just sat there while they did the final fitting. Luckily it was mostly cold food anyway so she could just stick it in the fridge. She was feeling frazzled but they all seemed happy and she would be once she had the check for their order. It was definitely her biggest order yet and she didn’t know how that would change her business. Even if there was a bump when the designer was revealed she would not be able to rely on that long term. But she definitely wanted to get something nice for herself after all this.

She stopped at her desk between rushing around to check final fit and repacking the clothes and drank an entire water bottle. It probably didn’t look very professional. Hopefully no one saw her but even if they did it was far better than collapsing in the middle of the studio. Of course Cass saw her. It seemed that every time she turned after realizing she did something silly with them around, Cass was standing behind her. She had to be moving using magic because she never made a sound. Even when she came into the shop with the bell on the door.

The other woman smiled at her and her eyes danced. So much for no one seeing her do something ridiculous. She seemed so put together it made Marinette feel embarrassed just to be near her. Then, of course, she was more prone to accidents. She tried to ignore the feeling and gestured to the fitting area. She stumbled slightly and knocked over a small container of buttons. She shoved them out of the way with her foot, grateful that they were metal ones so she could find them with a magnet. But for now, with them out of the way, she would focus on getting the group ready to go. Cass put her hand on her arm and squeezed gently.

Marinette couldn’t believe that the graceful woman understood how it felt to be so clumsy but she appreciated the gesture of trying to help her calm after. She smiled back and patted her hand. She suddenly felt like taking it and holding it. That definitely wouldn’t be professional. Instead she pulled back without trying to make it seem like she was desperate to get away. She wouldn’t want to offend her.

She managed to get through the rest of the visit without another incident.

She really liked the look of the amount on the receipt. It was a lot of work but that was a great payoff that made it worth it. Instead of cleaning up tonight she decided to just leave it and show up early tomorrow. She might even pick up a pizza on the way home and spend the evening relaxing.

—

When Marinette got in the next morning she started along one wall and moved around the entire shop from top to bottom. She was putting everything in order as she went and she should be able to reorganize during breaks between appointments. She didn’t pay any attention to her desk until last. She wanted to have everything else done first. There were only a few minutes left when she finally glanced at it to make sure it was presentable. It had actually managed to stay pretty tidy, probably why she hadn’t noticed it before. The only thing out of place was an envelope that she definitely hadn’t seen before.

She pulled out the card. She immediately recognized the writing.

> I saw you dancing. Perhaps you would enjoy ballet

Included was a ticket to tomorrow’s ballet opening. She wasn’t very familiar with the ballet seating to know if it was a good seat but she had always wanted to go and she was very curious about the sender. She told herself she shouldn’t go. She moved on with her day and met with several new clients and one came for a fitting of a design she had been working on. It was all pretty easy work and had plenty of breaks for her to not plan on going tomorrow.

But by the end of the day she had decided what she would wear and had looked up information about the show. When she went to bed, she was still telling herself that she wasn’t planning to go.

—

Putting on the dress had been easy. Even her make up had gone on flawlessly. But when it came time to do her hair, she paused. She had been planning a simple loose knot at the back of her head but when she went to the closet she saw the hair piece that had been sent to her. That made her wonder if she shouldn’t do something a little fancier. It definitely would go perfectly with her dress and would be a perfect nod to her business which was always a plus. But she didn’t know who had sent it or how they would react if she wore it.

She turned away and went to look over her other options. She had one she had worn to Alya’s wedding that would work fine. She put it on her vanity and began pulling up her hair. She reached down for it but knocked it onto the floor trying to reach for it without dropping her hair. She continued trying to keep her hair up while looking around for it. She transferred the hair into one hand and used the other to lift the long dress so she could locate it.

She did locate it. Unfortunately it was by stepping on it with her bare foot. She cried out as she jumped away. She threw herself onto the bed and screamed into the mattress before she lifted her foot to inspect it. The skin wasn’t broken but had the impressions of the metal in it. She had felt the piece flatten under her foot. She knew her foot would be okay except for a bit of soreness. It was already fading some so she moved to where the hair piece was. It was bent and when she tried to bend it back, the clasp broke.

She could possibly fix it, but not in time if she was still going to go tonight. She didn’t know if she should consider this an omen. She typically thought omens were silly but maybe this was a bad plan to meet a stranger tonight. Standing and preparing to remove her dress and make up, she looked back over to her closet. Perhaps the sign was to wear the gifted piece instead. She had just enough time to finish her hair and she was already dressed. It would be a shame to miss the opportunity.

Once she decided that she was still going to go, the rest of the getting ready went smoothly. Her hair went up with no trouble and ended up looking really nice. She was very happy with it. The foot was still sore but her heels were low so it didn’t seem to bother her much. Hopefully that would stay that way. She was headed for the door when she decided that she should probably call a cab instead of walking. It wasn’t dark yet but she didn’t want to end up halfway there with a really sore foot. She saw a flash of movement just as she was about to turn back inside.

There was a car waiting out front. A man in a uniform had moved quickly to straighten up when he saw her. He nodded in her direction and opened the door for her. It was unexpected but didn’t seem much more risky than calling a cab and her dress would probably be better off in this one than a possibly sticky seat in a cab. She texted Penny to let her know about the ride, just in case and then again when she arrived safely at the performance building.

—

There was a huge crowd at the main entrance. There were cameras flashing and the elite were entering and getting the paparazzi in a frenzy. But the car stopped at a door off to the side. The chauffeur said that it was still an entrance but would help her avoid the crowds. She was still surprised that it opened. It was a rather long quiet hallway but it led to the same entry way that the main entrance had. There was a man there to take her ticket. He directed her to an usher who showed her to her seat. He gave her a smile when he left her there.

On the seat was a single rose and another card.

> I’ll find you after. Enjoy the show.

The crowd entering was loud in the atrium but as they entered, most hushed their voices to match the formal atmosphere in the theater. She looked around when she heard several voices before they were silenced by a tired sounding older man. She recognized them as the Waynes. She was not the only one who had turned to see the commotion. Jason turned and gave a wave to those watching and Dick pulled him along to their seats. Once they sat and were less noticeable, the interest in them faded.

Marinette had forgotten that they were coming to the opening night of the ballet. They had said that was what they wanted the new outfits for but she had let the information get lost after finishing the designs. She had thought it odd that they wanted all new outfits for it but accepted the commission anyway. She couldn’t help but be proud at how everything had turned out. They definitely looked great in the clothes. Thinking about it, they probably looked great in most clothes but she thought she had done a rather impressive job of adding to that.

She sat back in her seat when others arrived in the row with her. She ended up next to a small family with their child sitting beside her. He seemed a bit nervous so Marinette smiled at him and shifted herself closer to the aisle, gesturing for him to have access to the arm rest. She forgot all about him when the show started. She was entranced by the performance. It wasn’t until Cass took the stage that she put together why the family was so dressed up for opening night. They were there to support her.

Marinette was completely lost in the performance. She had thought before that Cass showed amazing gracefulness but she severely underestimated her. She flowed with the music and Marinette could feel everything. She wiped away tears at the beauty and stood with the crowd at the end. She had forgotten all about the secret notes that brought her here. The audience was still clapping and shouting “brava!” when the dancers exited the stage and then returned for their curtain call.

The clapping got louder as the dancers came and took a bow. Marinette was smiling as she watched. She was already planning to visit the ballet again soon. Cass paused as she was lifting herself from the bow and made eye contact with her and smiled broadly. It was a brief moment but her heart must have stopped in her chest before it started again. She stood fully and the dancers waved to the crowd. Ushers moved to the edge of the stage and presented flowers to the dancers. All the others moved past Cass and exited. She looked back once more and her eyes found Marinette’s again. It was longer this time. Several people turned to look at her but when she moved past the curtain Marinette looked at the flower that had been in her seat. It was exactly the same as the ones Cass had.

She could be wrong.

There could still be someone else in the crowd who was looking for her. But still, she moved towards the stage area. Several of the dancers were appearing and greeting those who came to wish them well. Many were trying to get pictures with the dancers. Cass came out last and the Wayne family crowded forward, excitedly praising her performance. Marinette stopped moving forward and looked around. She was nervous to be right and nervous at the thought that the gifts had come from someone else. She looked back one more time but Cass was no longer surrounded by her family.

She was right in front of her.

“I’m glad you came,” she said.

“You were wonderful. It was a great show.”

Cass looked back at her family, who were failing at appearing to not be watching them.

“I wanted to talk to you before. That is why I suggested the new outfits. They look nice but nothing compares to how you looked in the audience.”

Marinette took a breath to manage her reaction to the very clear compliment to herself and her designs. But she had to ask what she had wondered about.

“If you were wearing a dance costume, why did you have me design you an outfit for tonight?”

Cass moved her hand up and pushed a piece of fallen hair back from Marinette’s face. Her fingers brushed against her cheek.

“I wanted something nice to wear when I take you out after this.”

Taglist

@theymakeupfairies | @emjrabbitwolf | @vixen-uchiha | @trythisagainlove | @trippingovermyfeet | @tbehartoo | @izanae | @kittenmywaythrulife | @folk-ever-lore | @jayjayspixiepop | @achaoticmess1

@adrestar | @zynna | @jeminiikrystal

#Cassinette #secret admirer #fluff #boldlyanxious #ttt2022 #rare pair flair #maribat wlw

[the-coffee-fandom]

Adrien: Wait wait wait go back

Marinette: *groans* nooo

Adrien: *chuckles* no no I'm trying to understand

Marinette: *glares*

Adrien: *Absolutely unphased and smirks* so you kissed them and then...

Marinette: Ran Away

Adrien: I still don't understand why honestly. I thought you liked him?

Marinette: *sighs* I do...just...circumstances

Adrien: *raises eyebrow* What circumstances?

Marinette: *looks away and mumbles* Just...how it happened I guess

Adrien: *leans forward* oh? Im intrigued. How did the infamous kiss happen then? Do tell.

Marinette: *blushes* None of your business!

Adrien: Come on Mari! Dont be like that! Please tell me?

Marinette: ....

Marinette: *rapidly says* I might have sort of tripped and he caught me and i was tired so I kissed him in thanks and stole his coffee but then I panicked because I kissed my boss and I ran and he never did come out to get more coffee

Adrien: *processing*

Adrien: *laughs* Only you Mari

#Maribat #java junkies #timxmari #timari #ttt2022